Health
Why the end of daylight saving time can negatively affect your health
This weekend, most of the United States — except for Hawaii and most of Arizona, which don’t observe daylight saving time — is enjoying an extra hour of sleep, but is it actually a good thing?
Although the day the clocks “fall back” gives you an extra hour of sleep before your alarm goes off, the end of daylight saving time in November has multiple health implications.
Turning the clocks back an hour on the first Sunday in November means fewer hours of daylight. For many, this means that when they leave work around 5 p.m., it’s already dark outside. It’s one drawback to moving the clocks back.
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A lot of health implications from moving clocks back are associated with a changed sleep schedule.
Many people have a difficult time adjusting since their internal clock has been altered.
When clocks “fall back,” we gain an hour of sleep, but darkness comes earlier in the day. (iStock)
“Just that one hour can change the amount of sleep you get, the quality of sleep that you get,” said Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, per The Associated Press.
“Off-kilter sleep can affect people’s ability to multitask, stay alert and even maintain their balance, making them more prone to accidents.”
Many people, especially those with preexisting conditions, can experience darker moods following the clock change and through the fall and winter months. There are a few different theories for why this happens.
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One is the body’s circadian rhythm, its internal clock, is disrupted when the days are shorter with less access to the sun, which can cause a mood swing. Turning the clocks back an hour marks a time when the dark winter is coming.
The lack of serotonin the body receives during this time of year can also contribute to a worsening mood.
A switch in the time can impact the internal clocks in the body, making it difficult to adjust. (iStock)
There are ways to help your body adjust for a smooth transition.
One thing you can do is keep your same bedtime. Don’t use the hour of extra sleep as an excuse to stay up late the prior day. Instead, go to bed at your usual time.
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When you wake up in the morning during the cold winter months, try to get exposed to light early by opening blinds around the house, sitting outside or even going for a walk.
If you spend your days indoors, the morning hours may be your only opportunity to soak in minimal sunlight.
You can help your body adjust to the time change by practicing good sleep habits, like shutting off your phone at night. (iStock)
Most clocks will change on their own. Even though the time change doesn’t officially happen until 2 a.m., you can set your clocks back the night before so that your body can better adjust to the change.
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One good practice, no matter the time of year, but especially in the colder months, is to establish a good sleep routine.
Avoid eating or drinking too close to bedtime, practice meditation to calm your body down before bed and grab a book instead of reaching for your phone before bed to limit your screen time.
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Ahead of Independence Day this year, first lady Melania Trump visited Children’s National Hospital (CNH) in Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon in her latest “Be Best” event.
The first lady joined patients battling cancer, kidney and heart issues, among other diagnoses, in the garden room to participate in various patriotic arts and crafts, including rock painting.
Nicholas Clemens, communications director at the Office of the First Lady, told Fox News Digital, “Mrs. Trump and our team really cherished being with these brave kids and their caregivers.”
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The first lady greeted inpatient and outpatient children with gifts such as teddy bears, puzzles, books and “Be Best” temporary tattoos.
“It was fun to see them light up when they talked with Mrs. Trump about their favorite sports and music, and especially when they saw the BE BEST teddy bears,” added Clemens.
First lady Melania Trump visited Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., for a “Be Best” event this week, joining young patients for patriotic arts and crafts and unveiling the “Eternal Flame” rose. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“It was a great reminder of why Mrs. Trump is working so hard to advocate for the well-being of children and youth through BE BEST. We really thank Children’s National for a memorable and heartwarming visit,” said Clemens.
Mrs. Trump helped unveil “Eternal Flame,” a hybrid Tea Rose sourced from the White House gardens.
Hybrid tea roses have high centers, long stems with high-centered blooms and a strong floral fragrance perfect for a cutting garden, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The children placed American flags, pinwheels and rocks in the rooftop garden of the hospital. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Accompanying Mrs. Trump was Dale Haney, White House Grounds superintendent. He discussed the new rose bush with the first lady and with CNH President and CEO Michelle Riley-Brown, along with the kids.
Both inpatient children and outpatient children joined the first lady in the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden to place rocks, pinwheels and American flags among the plants and flowers.
Following the day of festivities, the first lady visited a three-month-old in the heart and kidney unit, sharing a very special moment.
The child has had five different surgeries performed since his birth.
The first lady greeted inpatient and outpatient children with gifts such as teddy bears, puzzles, books, and “Be Best” temporary tattoos. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Mrs. Trump met the child along with his military family, sharing many hugs.
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While in the heart and kidney unit, the first lady also met with a teenage boy admitted recently and his family.
First lady Melania Trump was accompanied by Children’s National Hospital President and CEO Michelle Riley-Brown, plus patients. (EMAL COUNTESS/AFP via Getty Images)
Mrs. Trump previously visited the Children’s National Hospital in 2017 to dedicate the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden.
The garden is dedicated to the First Ladies of the United States after philanthropist and horticulturalist Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon and is situated on a rooftop spanning 7,200-square-feet.
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