Positive Effects of Daylight Saving
1. You’ll Feel Happier.
Studies show that depression rates rise after the November clock change when it gets dark earlier. That’s why gaining an extra hour of sunshine in spring afternoons matters so much—it gives you more time outdoors after work to boost your mood.
2. Weight Loss Becomes Easier.
During winter, we get very little vitamin D because the sun rarely shines and we’re mostly indoors at work. By the time we head home, it’s dark, limiting our direct sun exposure. The clock change helps by giving us more daylight, and vitamin D plays a key role in supporting weight loss.
3. Your Eyes Will Thank You.
In winter, our eyes often face harsh fluorescent lighting, causing irritation like redness and dryness. The extra daylight from the clock change eases this strain, giving your eyes a much-needed break.
4. You’ll Sleep Better.
It might seem tough at first because you feel more tired after the shift, but soon the increased daylight hours help your body produce melatonin, the hormone that supports restful sleep.
Negative Effects of Daylight Saving
1. Work Feels Harder.
Research shows Fridays are usually the least productive days, but the week after the clock change is even tougher! Adjusting to the 60-minute shift is challenging, so people find it harder to focus in those first few days, which affects their work.
2. You May Feel More Irritable.
It’s common to feel more easily irritated and involved in conflicts after the time change. This is mainly due to less sleep in the days or even weeks following the shift.
3. Stroke Risk Increases.
A 2016 study found that stroke cases rise by an average of 8% in the week after the clock change, with people over 65 facing a 20% higher risk.
4. Heart Attacks Spike.
Research from Open Heart in 2014 showed that heart attacks increased by 25% on the Monday after spring daylight saving. The good news? This spike is usually limited to the first few days.
