Some health concerns are also associated with changing the time of the clocks, as some studies show that it disrupts the body's natural sleep cycle.
A day when the clocks go back is sometimes considered 'good' because people get an extra hour to rest
Every year in Britain, at two o'clock on the last Sunday in October, the clocks go back, signaling that winter is approaching and the days are getting shorter.
 |
| Health effects of turning back the clocks |
Although a day when the clocks go back is sometimes considered 'good' because people get an extra hour to rest, the system of changing the clocks twice a year can be controversial.
In 2019, the European Parliament voted to get rid of the clock time change after a study found that 84 percent of people in countries that participated in daylight saving time wanted it to end. Should.
A survey by YouGo, a global opinion and data company, found that a majority of Britons were in favor of keeping it. 44 percent voted to maintain the current system while 39 percent voted to abolish it.
Some health concerns are also associated with changing the time of the clocks, as some studies show that it disrupts the body's natural sleep cycle, which can affect physical and mental health.
How does changing clock time affect physical health?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center, the human brain has a biological clock, also known as a circadian rhythm, that runs on a 24-hour cycle.
Whether it's an extra hour of sleep or an hour less, it disrupts the sleep cycle and can be difficult for some people to adjust to a normal schedule. Disturbed sleep can also potentially increase the risk of heart disease.
A 2019 study by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital examined the effects of sleep deprivation on heart disease in mice.
It found that after 16 weeks, mice whose sleep cycles were disrupted had larger arterial plexuses than mice with normal sleep.
The sleep-deprived mice had double the levels of some white blood cells and lower amounts of hypocretin, a hormone that plays an important role in regulating sleep and wakefulness.
Dr. Michael Twery, director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at the National Heart, Lynch, and Blood Institute in the United States, says, "It seems that the molecular connection between sleep and blood and heart risk factors has not been fully understood until now. is the most direct demonstration of.'
A one-hour loss of sleep during the spring time change has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
American hospitals report a 24 percent increase in heart attack cases on Mondays each year when the clocks are set one hour forward on Sunday night.
Research also shows an increase in vehicle accidents.
According to data from Zurich Insurance, between 4pm and 7pm in November, drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident, as it gets darker earlier.
The company found that after the clocks changed, accidents increased by 10 to 15 percent during that time compared to the rest of the day.
How does changing clock time affect mental health?
When the clocks are turned back in the fall, we get an extra hour of daylight in the morning.
However, this only lasts for a few weeks before the days get shorter and sunrises start to get later.
On the shortest day of the year, December 21, Britain gets less than eight hours of sunshine.
Long hours of darkness can result in depression in some people, as well as fatigue, muscle aches and weak bones due to vitamin D deficiency from lack of sunlight.
Some people also develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD) due to the shorter days.
According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), SAD symptoms include persistent lethargy, lack of pleasure or interest in normal daily activities, irritability, feelings of hopelessness or guilt, and sleeping longer than usual.
The Health Service says a lack of sunlight can disrupt the function of a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which affects the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone) and serotonin (the mood hormone), as well as the body's circadian rhythm. May be.
How to adjust the time of the clock backwards?
The clock has already gone back, but if you're sensitive to the time change there are some practical things you can do to adjust yourself.
Dave Gibson, founder of The Sleep Site, emphasized the importance of good sleep in a blog post.
Sleep health refers to daily routines and bedroom environments that are conducive to consistent, uninterrupted sleep.
'However, taking a bath with lavender can relax the body, or do some stretching or yoga.'
'To help your mind slow down, try things like dimming the lights and reading a book instead of watching TV,' he says.
0 Comments