Clock change disrupts sleep; doctor advises gradual schedule shifts

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 05:38 · Archive

Turning clocks back at the end of daylight saving time disrupts sleep and mood by suppressing serotonin and melatonin production.

Turning the clocks back at the end of daylight saving time disrupts sleep and mood by suppressing serotonin and melatonin production, according to Dr John La Puma, a California physician and expert in nature-based medicine. The abrupt loss of evening sunlight is responsible for these effects. The body's internal clock does not immediately adjust to the new time on the wall, meaning people experience common disruptions for about a week: waking an hour earlier than usual, feeling hungry earlier, becoming sleepy earlier, and experiencing months of shorter days with darkness falling by five o'clock.

La Puma recommends making small adjustments to routines to ease the transition. He advises moving bedtime, meals and wake-up times later in small increments, such as 15 minutes, on the day before the clocks change. For someone who normally goes to bed at 10 p.m., this could mean 10:15 p.m. on Friday and 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, before the clocks turn back overnight Saturday.

Clock change disrupts sleep; doctor advises gradual schedule shifts — Image: New York Post

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Daylight saving time is ending: Doctor breaks down 6 ways to protect your sleep and healthTurning the clocks back at the end of daylight saving time has been linked to trouble falling and staying asleep, while ongoing sleep loss can take a toll on health.New York Post · 30 Oct, 05:25
Daylight saving time is ending: Doctor breaks down 6 ways to protect your sleep and healthTurning the clocks back disrupts sleep and mood. Dr. John La Puma shares six tips, from schedule shifts to chamomile tea and limiting screen time.Fox News · 29 Oct, 23:54

In this story: Dr John La Puma · California · Fox News Digital

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log