Losing an hour of sleep as daylight saving time kicks in can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day — it also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening sun together knock out of whack a body clock that regulates when we're drowsy and when we're alert. Studies even show an uptick in heart attacks and strokes in the first few days after the spring time change. Getting more morning light can help reset your circadian rhythm and get sleep that's vital for good health.
A new AP-NORC poll finds that only 12% of U.S. adults support the current system of daylight saving time, which has people in most states changing the clocks twice a year, while 47% are opposed and 40% are neutral. Around the country, the clocks will go back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday to mark the return to standard time and more daylight in the mornings. If forced to choose, most Americans would prefer to keep that extra hour of daylight in the evening. Permanent daylight saving time would be unpopular with a significant chunk of people, though, the survey found — particularly those who prefer mornings.
In a world that often keeps us indoors, Dr. Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician (DO) and multi-best-selling autho…
Losing an hour of sleep as daylight saving time kicks in can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day — it also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening sun together knock out of whack a body clock that regulates when we're drowsy and when we're alert. Studies even show an uptick in heart attacks and strokes the first few days after the spring time change. Getting more morning light can help reset your circadian rhythm and get sleep that's vital for good health.
Sunday is the time to move clocks back in the U.S. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Nov. 3, which means setting your clock back an hour. Standard time will last until March 9 when we will again "spring forward" with the return of daylight saving time. That spring time change can be tough on your body but the fall change should be easier to adjust to. Most countries don't make time changes. It's mostly North America and Europe. In the U.S., there are two exceptions. Arizona and Hawaii stick to standard time year-round.
There's a lot to be said for the work/play energy of a nice studio or other small apartment during the day. But how do you bring that energy down to get a good night's sleep? When electronics, cookery, clothes and books all share one space, it can be a challenge to create a restful refuge. Design and sleep experts say to start by prioritizing your sleep space. Get a good bed — regular or fold-down. Create a buffer zone between your sleep area and the rest of the apartment. You might use furniture or a screen to do that. Cut down on sensory stimuli by freshening the air and blocking the noise and light of appliances, electronics and the street.
