The Unknown Impact of Daylight Savings Time, And What You Can Do

ONE MORE HOUR! It’s that coveted time of the year where the days get longer. But that extra hour of daylight means one less hour of that precious, precious sleep. We know that if you’re wearing Gamer Advantage Glasses, you already have a leg up to the adjusting process. While the concept of Daylight Savings Time was originally introduced to save energy and improve productivity, it has a significant impact on people's sleep patterns, particularly in the spring. 

This time shift can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. As a result, people may experience symptoms of sleep deprivation, including fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.

Research has shown that the disruption caused by DST can have a negative impact on people's physical and mental health. A study conducted by the Journal of Sleep Research found that there was an 8% increase in the number of traffic accidents on the Monday following the switch to DST in the spring. The study also revealed that people who regularly take medication to aid in sleep were at an increased risk of experiencing accidents.

Protect your heart, because research has found that DST can affect people's cardiovascular health. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that the incidence of heart attacks increased by 24% on the Monday following the start of DST in the spring. The study suggests that the loss of an hour of sleep and the subsequent disruption to the circadian rhythm can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can trigger heart attacks in people who are at risk. Crazy right?

So, what can people do to mitigate the effects of DST on their sleep? The National Sleep Foundation recommends gradually adjusting the sleep schedule in the days leading up to the switch to DST. This can be done by going to bed 15-20 minutes earlier each night for several days before the time change. It is also important to maintain good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the hours before bedtime, and wearing your Gamer Advantage glasses with our REZME® lens technology, that has been clinically endorsed to help you improve your melatonin levels. 

The switch to DST in the spring can have a significant impact on people's sleep patterns and overall health. By taking steps to gradually adjust the sleep schedule, and wearing Gamer Advantage glasses, individuals can mitigate the effects of DST and ensure they are getting the rest they need to stay healthy and productive.

1. Kantermann, T., Juda, M., Merrow, M., & Roenneberg, T. (2007). The Human Circadian Clock's Seasonal Adjustment Is Disrupted by Daylight Saving Time. Current Biology, 17(22), 1996-2000. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.10.025
2. Coren, S. (1996). Daylight savings time and traffic accidents. The New England Journal of Medicine, 334(14), 924-925. doi: 10.1056/nejm199604043341416
3. Janszky, I., & Ljung, R. (2008). Shifts to and from daylight saving time and incidence of myocardial infarction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 359(18), 1966-1968. doi: 10.1056/nejmc0807104