Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November when we go back to Standard Time. Even though it rolls around each year, it still takes getting used to.
You get more sunshine in the evening during the spring and summer months but “lose” an hour of your day. When the clocks return to Standard Time in the fall, it’s darker earlier in the evening. Because of this change, some people might have difficulty sleeping or waking up, amongst many other things.
The end of Daylight-Saving Time may have several impacts on health, including:
1. Sleep disruption:
The time change can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to difficulty sleeping or waking up. This can cause short-term insomnia for 30-35% of adults.
2. Cardiovascular risks:
There’s a 25% increase in heart attacks on Mondays after springing forward.
3. Increased motor vehicle accidents:
Sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment due to the time change can lead to more accidents.
4. Mental health issues:
Symptoms of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can worsen. A Danish study revealed an 11% increase in hospital visits for depression after the clocks went back to standard time.
5. Digestive and immune-related problems:
Particularly for those with pre-existing conditions.
The effects may be more pronounced for those with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and SAD. Less exposure to sunlight specifically affects those with SAD, making it harder to balance their mood.
To help reduce the negative health effects of the change to Standard Time, some tips include:
- Getting outside in the morning light to compensate for the loss of evening sunlight.
- Keeping a consistent sleep routine.
- Making good food choices before bed.
- Exercising in the morning.
- Seeking professional help if needed, especially for those with existing mental health conditions.
It’s important to note that while anyone can be affected by the time change, its impact can be more severe for some individuals. If you consistently experience low mood or depression during these times, it’s advisable to consult with a mental health professional.
Persons insured with a Simply Simplified Issue and Guaranteed Issue policy from ivari have access to covered general practitioner and mental health therapist visits through Maple. * Policyholders can simply visit getmaple.ca/ivari to create an account. Those who already have a Maple account can sign in to access care within minutes, as well as search for health information and read helpful articles like this one.
These tips originally appeared in an article from Maple’s blog: https://www.getmaple.ca/blog/how-does-daylight-saving-time-affect-your-health/
* Virtual Healthcare by Maple is a non-contractual benefit and is subject to program availability. Products or services offered may be subject to change. Maple Corporation is the sole provider of Virtual. Healthcare Services available with Simply Simplified Issue and Simply Guaranteed Issue policies and ivari Critical Illness policies, ivari and its affiliates are not liable for the quality or availability of the products or services offered by Maple Corporation or any of its affiliates. Maple Corporation is not an agent or broker of ivari.
Mental health therapists include social workers. Mental health therapists are not able to diagnose medical illnesses or prescribe any medications as they are not medical doctors.
Eligible dependents are anyone in the policyholder’s household for whom the policyholder is legally authorized to make healthcare decisions (e.g., a partner, a child under 18, or an elderly dependent). ”Partner” means a person with whom the policyholder is (a) legally married, (b) in a civil union, (c) in common law relationship, (d) live together in domestic partnership, or in an adult interdependent relationship and either have lived together for at least one (1) year or are together the parents of a child. Read Maple’s privacy policy for more details.
Disclaimer
Please read the following carefully:
- This article has been prepared by and belongs to Maple Corporation. ivari is permitted to use and distribute this article. All uses, modifications and distributions are subject to the prior written approval of ivari and Maple Corporation and otherwise expressly prohibited.
- This material is intended for general information purposes only and should not be considered specific or personal health/medical advice, nor is it a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional.
- For your convenience, this article may provide links to third-party sites. ivari makes no representations about these sites and access by you is at your own risk.
- ivari partners with Maple Corporation to offer extra-contractual virtual health services to its policyholders. For details, click here. Please consult your ivari life insurance advisor to determine if this service is right for you.
- The content of this page is subject to ivari’s Terms of Use.