Is Daylight Saving Time Damaging Your Health?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 28, 2024
You’ve no doubt seen all the troubling headlines about daylight-saving time.
After all, they hit like, well, clockwork twice a year—first in March and again around this time of year, when daylight saving time ends.
They warn about heart attacks spiking, car accidents soaring, and how your precious sleep gets thrown into chaos.
But what if I told you the REAL story about how the clock changes affect our health isn’t quite what you’ve been led to believe?
A groundbreaking new analysis from Flinders University is shedding fresh light on this twice-yearly ritual—and the findings might surprise you.
Here’s what we’ve always known about the dreaded time change: In those first few days, most folks lose about 40 minutes of sleep. And yes, this temporary sleep disruption CAN lead to some serious consequences.
Your risk of heart attacks does indeed tick up. Your chances of getting into a fender bender increase. And you might feel like you’re dragging yourself through molasses for a few days.
But here’s where it gets interesting…
This comprehensive new analysis (currently under review) found something unexpected: There’s NO significant evidence that daylight saving time causes long-lasting effects on your sleep quality or daytime functioning.
In other words, while those first few days might be rough, your body is remarkably good at bouncing back.
Think of it like jet lag. Is it temporarily annoying? Absolutely. Life-altering? Not so much.
But why do we feel so out of sync in the first place?
It all comes down to your body’s internal clock—your circadian rhythm. This invisible timekeeper is naturally synced to the cycle of day and night. When we suddenly shift our schedules, even by just an hour, it’s like giving your internal clock a little shake.
The good news? You’re not doomed to toss and turn forever.
Here are some natural ways to help your body adjust smoothly to the time changes:
- Get morning sunshine: Right after waking up, step outside into the sun for 10 to 15 minutes to help reset your body clock.
- Stick to a schedule: Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent, even on weekends.
- Create a wind-down routine: Dim the lights and unplug from screens an hour before bed.
- Watch the caffeine: Cut off coffee and other stimulants by early afternoon.
- Move your body: Regular exercise helps regulate sleep patterns (just not too close to bedtime).
- Consider natural sleep aids: Magnesium, chamomile tea, or melatonin might help ease the transition.
Remember, while daylight saving time beginning and ending might throw you off temporarily, your body is incredibly adaptable. Focus on good sleep habits, and you’ll be back to your regular rhythm before you know it.
P.S. Ditch the “8 Straight” sleep myth.
Source:
Daylight saving: a small change or a big impact?, Press Release: Flinders University, Posted on October 1, 2024, news. flinders. edu. au
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...