Change Clocks

When You Change the Clocks, Be On the Lookout For Problems

Since the recent change in the way we do Daylight Saving Time in the United States, moving them forward and back a week later than usual, we haven't needed to switch lights on as often.

This means reduced use of energy, and slightly lower electricity bills.

However, there are some downsides to the clock change, too.

Turning the clocks forward and backward can mess with our internal timers, as well as messing up our moods.

If you're already susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or it's easy to knock you out of rhythm by messing with your schedule, it's time to be on the lookout.

We all have internal clocks, made up of a cluster of cells in our brains.

These cells dictate our circadian rhythms, telling us when to eat, wake up, and go to sleep.

Most of these functions are timed by the amount of light available.

Sunrise causes us to start producing hormones that wake us up, making our blood pressure, internal temperature, and metabolism all get going for the day. Sunset makes us just a little groggier, and gets us ready for sleep.

Even if you're a night owl, some changes do occur, depending on the amount of light available.

How much this affects you will depend on who you are.

When we change the clocks in the spring, we take an hour from the morning and add it to the evening.

For a lot of people, this means getting up in the dark suddenly, which can keep our bodies in sleep mode.

If you tend to get depressed on cloudy days, or in the winter in general, this new darkness could make that a lot worse.

Even if you don't, it can take a while longer to rub the sleep from your eyes. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the clock change a little easier on yourself.

First, try planning ahead. A few days before you know you're going to have to switch over to summer time, try going to bed a little earlier, and setting the alarm a little bit earlier. That will keep your internal clock happier, since it can have a gradual change. Keep yourself to a schedule, even if it's tempting to sleep in.

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