UPMC Sleep Expert: Don’t Dread Spring Ahead
UPMC Sleep Medicine
Every spring, we look forward to the days getting longer. In exchange, we lose an hour of sleep when the clocks ‘spring ahead’ every March, which often leaves people worried about the effect it will have on their sleep.
The beginning of daylight saving time can bring about a sense of dread. After all, the transition results in more than just a lost hour of sleep each spring. It causes a shift in our circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates our body’s sleep, appetite, and mood.
One study found that people get 40 minutes less sleep the Monday after ‘springing forward’. This “Sleepy Monday” describes the phenomenon of increased fatal car accidents, hospitalizations for conditions like heart attacks or atrial fibrillation, and a general sense of grogginess that people may experience. The misalignment of our circadian rhythm may also lead to accumulated sleep debt while our bodies adjust to the new normal.
Even though most people adjust quickly to the change, others may experience chronic sleep loss. If left untreated, this can cause increased blood pressure and heart disease, weight gain, decreased immune function, and the development of psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.
Tips for a smooth transition into daylight saving time