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On Sunday, November 3, Americans will adjust their clocks as Daylight Saving Time ends. While many may appreciate the extra hour of sleep, this change can affect some individuals' sleep patterns and overall health. Karthik Kanagarajan, MD, a pulmonary and sleep specialist with The Christ Hospital Health Network, notes that the time shift might disrupt sleep, potentially leading to cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks. "Your heart and vascular system need time during sleep to recover," Dr. Kanagarajan explains.
Dr. Kanagarajan also points out that "lack of sleep can increase mood disorders, depression, anxiety and even short-term memory loss." He emphasizes the importance of recognizing how the time change affects individuals and planning accordingly for its conclusion.
To make the most of the additional hour gained from the fall time change, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers several recommendations: wait to adjust clocks until bedtime; maintain your usual bedtime; set clocks back one hour just before bed; wake up at your regular time; observe any improvements in how you feel after gaining an extra hour of rest; on Sunday following the time change, go to bed an hour earlier to reset your sleep schedule for longer rest.
The Christ Hospital Health Network includes an acute care hospital in Mt. Auburn, a remote location in Liberty Township, five outpatient centers, and numerous medical offices throughout the region. For over 130 years, it has provided compassionate care with a mission to improve community health through exceptional outcomes affordably. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Cincinnati's top hospital and named on Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2024.
