Most of us are waking up today a bit more weary-headed than
usual. It is amazing what a single lost
hour to our biologic rhythms can do. We
do have an innate internal clock that just got reset.
Of course jet-setters, or anybody travelling cross country
learns quickly about jet lag at one end, and waking up at four in the morning going
the other direction.
Of course there are the advantages. After a long dark winter, most of us gain an
hour of added sunshine later in the day.
That opportunity to replete some Vitamin D. For those that summer from seasonal affective
disorders (SAD), the apparent brightening at one end of the day may be a
welcome sign for coming relief aided by the longer days as summer approaches.
There are the downsides that seem to attract attention. Potential Increased rates of heart attacks and
suicides have been reported. A reported
8% increase in traffic collisions during the Monday morning commute combined
with a nearly 6% higher risk for workplace injuries during the Monday. While not earthshattering, the purported rate
of myocardial infarct increase is 10% - mitigated by an equivalent decrease
when the clocks are set back in the fall.
For most of us it is just that foggy-headed feeling with reduced
performance matched and a decreased productivity on the first day back to
work.
So, don’t expect too much of yourself or others on the
Monday after the start of daylight savings time. Your circadian clock will reset itself within
a few days for most of us. You could
benefit from making some changes to your daily routine, including being sure to
have a solid breakfast, get outside when that sun does rise and do a bit of
more exercise in the morning.
Of course, an extra dose of caffeine might just help clear
the cobwebs.
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