Ontarians Adjusting to Daylight Savings Time

One hour of sleep may seem like a negligible amount of sleep but the reality is, losing an hour of sleep is a big deal. 

This past Sunday was the implementation of Daylight Savings Time, where we lost an hour of sleep so we can gain an hour of daylight.  The issue with adjusting the start and end of daylight is that the body has to adjust as well.  “Spring ahead” can cause restlessness at night and sleepiness during the day. 

According to a study from Neuroscience Letters, daylight savings time compromises the sleep process by decreasing sleep duration and sleep efficiency. 

Daylight Savings Time affects our circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep cycle.  People may find themselves more fatigued because they do not change their sleep schedule to adapt to the change. 

An article published on TheProvince.com provided some tips for getting a goodnight’s sleep. A professor from Simon Fraser University explained that drivers are more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident on the Monday after daylight savings time. 

Drowsy driving is dangerous to the driver and to others on the road. A drowsy driver has slower reaction time and decreased reflexes. 

UBC professor and sleep expert Dr. Stanley Coren describes our society as chronically sleep-deprived and referred to research that found an increase in traffic and workplace accidents in the 3 days that follow daylight savings time, likely due to sleep deprivation. 

The do’s and don’ts of getting a goodnight’s sleep: 

  • Avoid stimulants close to bedtime; especially avoid coffee in the afternoon
  • Do not consume alcohol too close to bedtime
  • Avoid all electronics 2 hours before bedtime- light provided by cell phones, computers, tablets etc interfere with production of melatonin and serotonin, chemicals involved in sleep maintenance and regulation
  • Do not fall asleep in front of the TV and be aware that the light emitted from your clock radio can disrupt the production of sleep hormones
  • Avoid eating or exercising within a couple hours of going to bed  

 

The law firm of Paciocco & Mellow prides itself on its reputation of excellent service and client satisfaction. 

A lawsuit is an overwhelming process and we aim to provide reassurance to our clients. 

If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a car accident, please contact the experienced Windsor personal injury lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow at (519) 915-SORE (7673). We will be there to assist you with a free, no obligation initial consultation. 

The law firm of Paciocco & Mellow aims to help provide you with Peace of Mind at a Difficult Time.