Spring Forward, Feel Groggy. The Bad ... And Surprisingly Good About Changing The Clock
(CBS4) -The catchphrase is "Fall back, spring ahead." But for many of us,the loss of a single valuable hour of sleep means "spring ahead, feel lousy." This is truly one of my most disliked nights of the year. Sure, it's only an hour that gets lost, but stolen seconds spell grogginess and the extra need for a nap in the week to come.
And it's not only the brain fog that sets in. Several studies show even a one hour clock adjustment in the wrong direction can mean an increased risk of some nasty health issues. For example, the rates of heart attack will jump about 20 percent through Tuesday. So will the risk of stroke.
There will be more car accidents, especially Monday morning. More people will be hurt on the job, or around the home. Migraine headaches are more likely to strike, and you're a touch more prone to pick up a bug since your immune system gets stressed. And certainly your work productivity is going to take a hit for a day or two.
So why do all of these things happen from a simple tweak of time? It all has to do with circadian rhythms, or our internal body clocks. Our bodies are used to producing, like clockwork, certain hormones and chemicals that keep us alert and healthy. Many of them are released between 6 to 8 a.m., depending on the person. But mess with the release of those hormones and chemicals, even a little, and everything can be thrown out of whack.
So besides trying to get to bed a little earlier, or considering some melatonin, there's simply the usual recommended sleep advice (dim the lights 1-2 hours before bed, turn off TV early, kill the smartphone etc,) as you make your way through the next few days of the resetting of your internal body clock.
But the good news is that there is some good news in all of this. More daylight means some positive body changes that may come your way. For example, in most people, blood cholesterol levels drop a little. So does blood pressure. It's a little easier to lose weight. Some people feel less depressed. You're less likely to get sick. And let's face it, your body really needs only several days to adjust to the new setting on the alarm.
So as we spring forward, have hope, get happy, and get a little more activity into your daily life. In the long run, that lost hour will do your body good.
(And please remember to check those smoke alarm batteries.)
Dr. Dave Hnida is CBS4's Medical Editor. He blogs about the latest studies and trends in the health world. Read his latest blog entries, check out his bio or follow him on Twitter @drdavehnida
