Hartford Courant – When daylight saving time ends Sunday at 2 a.m. the clocks “fall back” an hour, meaning an extra of sleep.
Many states have or have considered eliminating daylight saving time altogether.
Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, also have long urged adopting standard time year-round, according to the Associated Press.
New research from Stanford University agrees, finding that switching back-and-forth is the worst option for our health.
The good news, Garrison said, is that people “can be creative,” in addressing all of it.
“Be intentional, mindful and deliberate” to combat the issues.
In terms of social interaction, it’s important to keep it going even if it’s not a person. A book club, for instance can be done by phone or on Zoom, if not in person.
Garrison said it’s “the sun that tells our bodies when to go to sleep,” so less sun means more sleep and less exposure to daylight or sunlight which means fewer mood-boosting hormones.
“In fall we should be trying to get as much sun as we can,” by altering our routine, she said, because of the release of hormones.
One suggestion Garrison makes is to go to bed earlier, without changing the sleeping hours, to get more sunlight in the morning and maybe take time for a walk outside. She said don’t decrease the amount of sleep because there’s health risks there too.
Garrison said three easy things to do are:
- Find a way to spend morning time outside,
- Purchase a light box, as it has the same impact as hormones and sunlight and now affordable,
- Maintain physical exercise, and that can mean walking around the house if the weather or darkness s bothering …
