People who live in countries following Daylight Saving Time (DST) have different opinions about it. Some are in favor, while other individuals are not. DST starts in the spring and ends in the fall season. These changes have been an ongoing tradition for many countries and states. DST supporters believe that the spring and fall clock changes conserve energy. However, those who are against Daylight Saving Time believe that it has adverse effects. Besides, some people find it challenging to recover from the clock change. If you're one of them, it is essential to know some tips on dealing with DST.

The Adverse Effects of Daylight Saving Time

Here in the United States, Daylight Saving Time has already ended last November 1. Next year, it will start again on March 14, meaning you need to move your clock forward an hour. With DST, you can take advantage of the natural daylight even in the summer evenings. During this period, the days start to get longer as the planet moves from the winter season to spring and then to summer. These clock changes might benefit some individuals who are used to Daylight Saving Time.

However, some studies show that DST can pose risks to human health. A study published in 2014 found out that there was a transient increase in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) after DST in spring. Meanwhile, there was a decrease in AMI after returning the clocks in the fall. Fast forward to 2020; another study has demonstrated the negative effects of clock changes. According to the research, Daylight Saving Time is indeed beneficial for energy conservation. However, it has been reported that it increased the risks of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular problems.

How to Recover from the Annual Clock Changes

Daylight Saving Time has pros, and cons. If you are not in favor of DST, it might take months or years before your country abolish it. In case that this scenario will not happen, you need to adapt to the clock changes. This way, you can reduce the adverse effects of Daylight Saving Time. There are also tips that you can follow to keep a healthy lifestyle despite the health risks that DST could bring.

Here are some practical tips for dealing with Daylight Saving Time:

1. Avoid taking long naps.

Taking a nap is healthy not only for babies but for adults as well. It can boost your memory and improve your mood. However, there are do’s and don’ts to follow when taking naps. One thing that you should avoid is napping for a long time in the afternoon. It is because you might have trouble sleeping at night. When this thing happens, your circadian rhythm will be disturbed, which might lead to sleep problems. You might experience insomnia if your body clock is regularly interrupted.

2. Be consistent with your schedule.

You might get confused with the time before or after the clock change. But no matter how many minutes or hours have been added, make sure to stick with your schedule. If you are meditating or exercising in the morning, stick to this activity. Follow your bedtime schedule so that you’ll find it easier to adapt to DST.

3. Don't expose yourself to blue light before sleeping at night.

Aside from taking long naps, you should also avoid exposing yourself to blue light. It is because it can also make it hard for you to get a good night’s sleep. Your gadget has a blue light; that’s why keep your phone away from you 15-30 minutes before going to sleep.

4. Expose yourself to natural sunlight.

Don't forget to spend time outdoors. No matter how busy you are at work, you may use your break time to take a walk in the park or expose yourself to natural sunlight. Spending time outside can alleviate your stress and improve your mood, boosting your work productivity. But remember, make sure to do it when the sun’s rays are still healthy for your skin. Doing it in the afternoon could be harmful because of the Ultraviolet rays from the sun.

5. Follow a healthy diet.

As mentioned, Daylight Saving Time increases the risks of heart-related diseases. It may also cause sleep problems and other health risks. One way to prevent DST’s adverse effects is by keeping yourself healthy. Consider a healthy diet and follow it strictly. Be selective in the food you eat and opt for more nutritious foods. However, it doesn't mean that you can overeat healthy food. Monitor your calorie intake and make sure that it is in line with your health goals. 

6. Get social interactions. 

DST in the winter season could bring melancholic vibes because of the cold weather. To avoid being anxious, connect with your loved ones, and keep in touch with them. Creating social interactions doesn't always need to be in person. There are lots of ways on how you can stay connected. Among these are using social media platforms where you can get updates from your family and friends. 

7. Prepare a few days early before the clock changes.

Before Daylight Saving Time, prepare for it so that you will not be surprised with the clock change. If there are meetings that need to be adjusted, you will have enough time to do it. To prepare for DST, make sure to keep updated with your country’s time change. Suppose you are visiting another country that also follows Daylight Saving Time, don't forget to check its DST schedule.

Daylight Saving Time has both positive and negative effects. People have different opinions when it comes to following or abolishing it. But no matter what your country does with clock changes, preparing yourself and adapting to DST could benefit you. Keeping yourself healthy can reduce the adverse effects of Daylight Saving Time. Besides, following a healthy lifestyle and getting a fair amount of sleep can prevent getting sleep problems and heart diseases. Remember, the key to recovering from DST is improving your circadian rhythm. Therefore, avoid things that can disturb it.