How Does the Time Change Affect Us?
This small modification can cause a variation in our circadian rhythms, which are biological, mental, and behavioral changes that usually occur in cycles between 20 and 28 hours and are related to the solar light cycle.
Part of these rhythms are controlled by our biological clock, influencing, among other activities, our sleep, which is why time changes can occasionally cause mild sleep disturbances
During the first week, we may feel tired, sleepy during the day, and have difficulties sleeping and waking up with the new schedule.
To minimize the impact of the time change, the Spanish Sleep Society (SES) recommends following these guidelines:
- Wake up on the first morning considering the new time, so that at night it’s easier for us to go to sleep with the advanced schedule.
- If we have difficulties falling asleep earlier, for a few days it’s better to shorten or avoid naps.
- By advancing the schedule for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we’ll manage to leave a few hours between the last meal and when we go to sleep.
- Taking advantage of the morning to enjoy natural light and do some exercise early on will contribute to better rest.
- Lastly, it’s also important to sleep in a suitable room, cool and dark.
Following these tips will make it easier for us to recover our usual rhythm of life and sleep sooner.
An observation: Often, much importance is given to the topic of time change, but if we compare it to our current habits of frequently staying up late, including watching television until late hours, staying connected to the Internet, etc., these are much more disruptive than the time change.
Source: Diario de Navarra
