The transition to summer time can be brutal – but this year it can feel lighter.
Arne Lowden, light and sleep researcher at Stockholm University, answers how time change affects you – and society.
Just this year, it may feel easier to move the clock forward. Why?
– It’s a little special this year, because Monday is the second day of Easter and a lot of people are off. Most will have adjusted by Tuesday, says Lowden.
What happens to our body when the clock is reset?
– There are a great many functions in our body that are controlled circadian rhythmically. It concerns our hormones, how our internal organs work and sleep. What happens is that we have to advance our rhythm.
– There is “jet lag” at home.
What risks does this entail?
– There is a small group that reacts with concern to the time change. Shortening sleep can create a certain increased load on the body. If you have a fragile personality, it can cause problems and it has been seen that the number of heart attacks increases then, says Lowden, but emphasizes that it does not play a major role from a public health perspective.
– Accidents have been studied and it is quite obvious that if you lose an hour of sleep, it increases the risk of accidents, perhaps slightly. However, you don’t see it so clearly in studies.
What positive effects does the time change have?
– The absolute best thing about summer time is that we get an extra hour of light in the afternoon and evening. Many people use this for outdoor leisure activities and there are many who feel that it becomes much more pleasant to carry out errands in daylight. It might promote exercise and influence society in a good way.
How can the transition be facilitated?
– It is important to ensure that the brain receives information about the new time because light controls the circadian rhythm. Make sure to expose yourself to daylight, perhaps especially in the morning. The body will then adapt more quickly, says Lowden and continues:
– You also don’t have to reschedule a whole hour in one day. You can change a quarter in four days.