This weekend marks the shift into Daylight Saving time as the clocks move ahead one hour at 2:00 am Sunday.
While we may gain an extra hour of daylight, the transition can still impact our bodies negatively. Dr. Denis Fortier from Southern Health underscores the effects of sudden time changes on our well-being.
“The change in daylight saving time, both in the spring and in the fall, can have some detrimental effects on you and your health,” says Dr. Fortier. The negative impacts are particularly pronounced in the spring when we "spring forward."
Dr. Fortier notes that any alteration in our regular schedule, be it losing or gaining an hour, requires a few days for recovery. “The one-hour change is going to affect you. It affects everyone. You'll notice that in your pets, in your children, and in yourself.”
Dr. Fortier explains that our bodies, including our pets, operate on a circadian rhythm, a built-in biological clock. Pets and children may take a few days to adjust to a new routine and synchronize their circadian rhythm with the time change, especially when losing an hour.
The disruption to our routine and circadian rhythm can also induce stress on the body. Studies suggest that stress and sleep deprivation linked to time changes can lead to alterations in stress hormones, potentially causing various physical health issues.
Dr. Fortier warns, “If we have a change in our own personal stress hormones, that can have a host of physical ailments, from autoimmune disorders to cardiac problems to mental health issues, et cetera.”
While individuals may adapt differently to time changes, those with highly structured routines, such as children and the elderly, are more likely to notice the shift. Dr. Fortier emphasizes that the impact of time change is not unique; similar disruptions occur during travel, with significant time differences requiring days to recover.
“The basic rule of thumb is for every hour that you gain or lose, add a day to recover. So, if you lose one hour, it might take you a day, maybe two days to recover. If you lose 3 hours, it might take you 6 or 7 days to recover.”
Dr. Fortier reassures us that regardless of whether the effect of time change is positive or negative, it typically dissipates relatively quickly.