What does the time change mean for our body clocks?

Everyone gained an hour of sleep and more morning sunlight this weekend during the transition from daylight saving time to standard time. A University of Cincinnati College of Medicine sleep expert recently appeared on Cincinnati Edition on 91.7 WVXU News to explain what the change means for our body clocks. 

"Every organ in the body has a clock. Every cell in the body has its own clock. They don't all work in exactly the same time frame, and so they're sort of held together, like the conductor of an orchestra, by the central clock in the brain. And that is basically driven by the light/dark cycle," said Anne Romaker, MD, professor of clinical medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and medical director of UC Medical Center sleep medicine.

She described the health impacts that a change in the body clock can bring. 

"We know that for instance, especially in the winter, the change here in November, that in the first week after the change, there's an increased risk of heart attack, increased risk of stroke. Our bodies just don't take this as well," said Romaker. 

One reason for that is beause the time change can lead to increased stress hormones in the body, which elicit an inflammatory response.

Romaker also said the time change can lead to poorer academic performance for high school students. Even more students than usual may find themselves falling asleep early in the school day.

"We do our children a disservice by asking them to come to school so early, and especially having them drop back and do this in the fall," she said.

Romaker offered some tips to help people adjust to the time change:

- Expose yourself to bright light for at least 30 minutes of the first hour when waking up. 

- 10 to 15 minutes of activity when getting ready for the day will help the body to wake up, along with getting exercise during the day.

- Decrease overhead light after dinner to prepare the body for sleep.

- Turn off electronics by 9 p.m. or so.

Listen to the full interview, including some history on time changes.

Featured image at top: iStock/Oksana Horiun.