Tonight, we advance (again) the hour

There is more darkness in the morning and more light in the evening, which disturbs the clock [intene]says Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum of the Cardiovascular Sciences Institute at St. Boniface Hospital in Manitoba.

The effects of the time change are manifested in particular by a slight depression and variations in blood pressure. Even the change of a single hour has an impact on physiology and our bodyhe said Thursday, in a press release.

Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum and Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin are studying the link between circadian rhythm, the body’s biological clock, and cardiovascular health. Their research showed that the circadian clock regulates a crucial adaptive response to stress that may impact the quality control mechanisms of the heart.

Maintaining a healthy circadian clock is therefore important not only to prevent disease, but also to avoid heart attacks.précis la Dre Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin.

The two doctors are advocating for the elimination of the time changes that are imposed on most Canadians twice a year.

According to them, the permanent change to standard time would help prevent the increased risks of diabetes, heart disease and depression that their work associates with daylight saving time.

A public health problem

For Professor Roger Godbout, director of the Pediatric Sleep Laboratory at the Rivière-des-Prairies Mental Health Hospital in Montreal, the time change is a real public health problem. He has already called for a public debate on the issue.

I don’t think there’s any health reason to change the clocks twice a year. It’s something quite absurd. Countries that have stopped changing clocks are all the better for itsays Mr. Godbout, who is also a full professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Montreal.

Some people experience the transition more difficult than others. This is the case for workers working atypical hours, who are more vulnerable to the negative effects of the time change.

DST can prevent these workers from adjusting their internal clock to their work schedule, leading to lack of sleep, fatigue, and decreased cognitive functionsaid Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum and Dr. Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin.

Children, people who live in residences and anyone who has a well-established routine are also more affected, explains Mr. Godbout.

But the majority of people will feel the impacts of the time change, and many may have difficulty falling asleep the following night. Some will take a few days to adapt and will feel a bit moody.

It affects mood, which is regulated by light-sensitive hormoneshe explains.“,”text”:”People who are sensitive to this, who have the spring blues, will feel it even more strongly. “}}”>People who are sensitive to that, who have the blues of spring, will feel it even more strongly

To better adapt

However, there are ways to make the transition to summer time easier.

Ideally, we suggest going to bed a little earlier each evening the week before the time change.

Saturday night, try to go to bed early and have a light supperexplained Azadeh Yadollahi, a scientist affiliated with theUniversity Health Network’s KITE Research Institutein an interview with CBC.

According to Mrs. Yadollahi, it is important to go outside on Sunday morning, after the clock change.

Taking a walk or doing any activity that exposes you to sunlight will help with adjustmentshe says.

You can also make small changes in the bedroom to control light exposure, explained Jennifer Bond, a respiratory therapist from Saint John, New Brunswick, in an interview with CBC.

You can force the body to adjust to the light by closing the curtains and making the place darker so you can fall asleep earlier. You can also open the curtains earlier in the morning so that the light helps the body to wake upsaid Ms Bond.

You can also take melatonin. It can help change the sleep cycle if used at the right time and at the right dosesays Dr. Elliott Lee, a sleep specialist at Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centrein Ontario.

The best time to take melatonin depends on each person’s circadian rhythm, but Dr. Lee suggests consuming a 1 to 3 milligram tablet between 7 and 9 p.m.

Everyone must do their tests with their circadian rhythm. But taken on occasion, [la mélatonine] can help speed adjustmentsays Dr. Lee.

good habits

Sleep expert Diana McMillan says daylight saving time is better for the human body, but switching to daylight saving time can be a good opportunity to re-evaluate your sleep habits.

Our sleep brings us a lot and it is important to see how we can promote better sleep not only during the transition to daylight saving time, but also in everyday life.she says.

Ms McMillan believes that having a bedtime routine and minimizing caffeine and alcohol consumption leads to better sleep.

Avoiding screens one to two hours before bedtime and reducing the intensity of activities before going to bed are also recommended by experts to promote sleep.

Incorporating exercise on a daily basis also allows for better sleep hygiene.

A law project

Across North America, elected officials are considering the possibility of ending time changes. In the United States, a new bill has been introduced to put an end to this seasonal practice.

Last week, US Senator from Florida Marco Rubio reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act that would allow states to make daylight saving time permanent.

If passed, the law would have repercussions across Canada. Provinces like British Columbia and Ontario are waiting for neighboring US states to drop daylight saving time before doing the same.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said the province wants to stay in sync with US west coast states and that it is very eager to give up daylight saving time.

In Quebec, Premier François Legault has already said he is open to studying the question of withdrawing the change of time twice a year.

The transition to Eastern Daylight Time occurs during the second weekend of March, then it returns to standard time by rolling back the clock on the first Sunday of November.

Daylight saving time was created to increase productivity during World War I.

With information from The Canadian Press and CBC