Daylight Saving Time (DST), a practice adopted globally over a century ago to reduce energy use during winter, is set to end on November 5. While this change is often associated with an extra hour of sleep, it also brings with it a host of potential health impacts.
Experts, including New York-based clinical psychiatrist Yalda Safai and Rebecca Robbins, PhD, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, argue that changes to the body's natural circadian rhythm can disrupt natural functioning. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has formed a coalition to advocate for permanent standard time, citing the health risks associated with the time shift.
The end of DST has been associated with increased heart attacks, strokes, abnormal heart rhythms, sleep disruption, mood disturbances, and even suicide. It can also trigger cluster headaches and increase the frequency of migraines due to changes in sleep patterns. Individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia are particularly vulnerable to these sleep disturbances.
The end of DST also marks the start of seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which affects up to 5% of the adult population. The decrease in sunlight during fall and winter can affect sleep rhythm and mood. While the time change does not directly cause SAD, it can heighten symptoms. People with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are more likely to experience SAD.
In light of these potential health impacts, it is important for individuals to be aware of the changes and take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of the end of DST on their health.