Every Sunday morning, I get up at 6:15 to walk five miles with my dog and neighbors. This week, I’ll probably grumble a little less when my alarm goes off: At 2 a.m. on Nov. 5, Daylight Saving Time ends, which means clocks jump back one hour in the U.S.
Though the extra bit of sleep might feel nice in the moment, health experts say the celebrations stop there: The time change is associated with lost productivity, as well as a heightened risk of heart attack and stroke—plus more motor vehicle accidents. Why does such a minor change matter? Experts say it throws off our circadian rhythm, or internal body clock; plus, many of us are already sleep-deprived, and the change messes up our schedules even more.
To minimize the health effects, make it a point to stick to a consistent sleep routine. And be extra careful when driving in the afternoon, since it will be darker out than usual. If you’re feeling drowsy, stay off the road.
The religious fervor of the wellness industry provides an appealing sense of certainty for those who fear traditional medicine may have failed them, Katherine Rowland writes for The Guardian. But the harder women strive for wellness, the more it seems to evade them.
