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Family Health & Safety

Mental Health Minute : Daylight Savings Time Impact on the Brain

By November 8, 2023No Comments

Most of the United States alternates between standard and daylight saving time (DST) every year so people can enjoy the daylight more. Clocks will be set back an hour on Sunday, Nov. 5, when DST ends, giving you an extra hour in your day. Although you may be excited about gaining an hour, DST can negatively impact your mental health and cognitive function.

The time change of DST can disrupt your body’s circadian rhythm—the 24-hour biological cycle that regulates sleep, mood and appetite. As a result, many people struggle to adapt their sleeping schedule to the new time. It can take days or even a week to adjust to your new schedule, which can cause sleep deprivation.

Disrupted sleep can cause you to feel groggy, irritable and unfocused. It can also exacerbate existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.

Adjusting to DST

You can prepare your mind and body for DST by altering your sleep time a few days before the clocks change. For example, you can adjust your wake-up time by fifteen minutes each day or postpone morning tasks for fifteen minutes to prepare your body for the adjustment.

After the time change, you can help recover lost sleep with extra naps during the afternoon. Additionally, you can use the change to evaluate your sleep hygiene. Remember that using technology (e.g., phones and TV) right before bed can cause difficulty falling asleep and reduce rapid eye movement (REM) cycles. Try reading a book, relaxing or meditating before bed to help yourself fall asleep.

You can also improve your sleep quality by exercising during the day. This will tire your body and help you adjust to an altered sleep schedule.

Conclusion

Helping your body prepare for the end of DST can reduce its impact on your sleep, mood and fatigue levels. Use the healthy tips in this article to reduce the impact of DST on your sleep schedule.

 

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