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Attention problems, weakening of the immune system, change in appetite… The effects of the time change on the body are numerous. Explanations.
It’s almost time to adjust your clocks to daylight saving time. This year, the time change will take place on the night of Saturday March 25 to Sunday March 26, 2023. If the objective is to gain one hour of natural sunshine to save energy, this change may disrupt the body for days or even weeks.
Car accidents, heart attacks and strokes
According to Dr. Susheel Patil, a sleep specialist interviewed by our colleagues at Healthline, this time change disrupts our sleep generally for a week. This is not without risks for our health.
“Sleep loss has been shown to lead to an increase in car accidents in the week following the change to daylight saving time, and there is also an approximately 20% increase in vehicle safety incidents. patients associated with human error”believes the professor, before adding “Daylight saving time has also been associated with an increase in heart problems such as acute onset of heart attacks, strokes and atrial fibrillation..”
For his part, Dr. Kristin Eckel-Mahan, associate professor and researcher on the circadian rhythm, assures that certain studies “showed an increase in workplace accidents in the week following the time change“.
In question ? Circadian rhythm disruption. In other words, the internal clock of the human body, based on a 24-hour cycle. However, it is this rhythm that helps us sleep at night and stay awake during the day.
Therefore, as soon as its balance is disturbed, sleep disorders appear.
“The effects are similar to a traveler flying between Chicago and Washington DC, adjusting to the local time change“, says Dr. Susheel Patil.
This is why many experts and doctors want to abolish daylight saving time.
Summer time: a smooth transition
While waiting for possible changes, certain measures make it possible to better prepare for summer time, such as:
- exposing yourself to natural light in the morning to wake up better;
- advance bedtime;
- turn off screens an hour before going to bed;
- exercise regularly;
- get used to waking up earlier a week before the clock change.