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Trick or treat or an hour of sleep

Change-Clocks-Back_s640x427Things to do late Halloween night: hide the rest of the candy; tuck the little creatures into bed; re-wrap Mummy; and set the clock back one hour. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, November 1, which means it’s time to fall back. You’ll get another hour of sleep, but then have to contend with early sunsets.

Shorter days and suddenly, very early evenings. It can all be a bit depressing.

The shock to your circadian rhythm causes weird things to happen, according to Live Science. Even subtle changes to sleep patterns can alter human alertness and, in some cases, might increase the risk of car accidents and workplace injuries.

The time switch (along with the hidden bag of candy) isn’t good for your heart, either, studies report. Lack of sleep can release stress hormones that increase inflammation, which can cause more severe complications in people already at risk of having a heart attack.

vintage_halloween_flying_witch_wall_clock-r46c3877e79474ace8c44ee3f4c8dc9d0_fup13_8byvr_512As your inner clock ticks away, it has controls the release of certain hormones that affect moods, hunger levels, and yearning for sleep. When these rhythms get thrown out of whack, even by just one hour during daylight saving time, the human body notices the difference.

For some people, the effects of this change can set off cluster headaches and other chronic pains. More frequently, attention spans wander, along with motivation and focus. Hence the urge to go to bed at 6 p.m.

 

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