AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly every American ‘sprang forward’ early morning on March 9. Experts say that, with this spring, individuals may experience some major or minor headaches. The question is why…
We are talking about a one-hour time shift specifically, yesterday we shifted forward, and later in the year, we shift back. Although it was just one hour, it may have felt like jet lag for some. Experts say for others, the shift is leaving behind physical effects such as headaches.
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First, what is daylight saving?
Twice a year, Americans, except for a few, must reset their clocks one hour forward or back. We refer to this as ‘daylight saving,’ which dates back to the 1890s.
First proposed by a New Zealand astronomer as a form of increasing daylight, and later used throughout World War I as a way to save energy. Today we specifically see daylight saving spring forward, as a way to see much darker mornings and longer evenings with more daylight.
How does ‘springing forward’ affect the body?
According to the Association of Migraine Disorders (AMD), not every individual may feel physical effects to the body from daylight saving time changes. The AMD said that those individuals who already suffer from specific headache disorders such as cluster headaches or migraines feel the effects of time changes most.
The AMD said that the time change is not the only reason for headache struggles. “Changes in circadian rhythm, sleep disruptions, hormones, changes in routine, stress, and a person’s susceptibility to headache all play a role,” according to the AMD.
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Tips to help avoid feeling the time change effects
Although the change has already happened, you can still take action and make changes in your routines to help make the transition into a new time easier on the body and the brain. The AMD suggests two things, slowly making a shift in your daily schedule or resetting your circadian rhythm.
Gradual schedule shifts — Slowly making changes to your normal schedule can help ease your brain and body through the time shift according to the AMD. Taking it in four small shifts is better than one drastic change.
If your normal wake-up time is 7 a.m. on the first day, shift to a 6:45 a.m. wake-up time. On day two, move up to 6:30 a.m. until you slowly get used to waking up at 6:00 a.m.
Resetting your circadian rhythm — You can work on this after the time has already changed, by retraining your body to know when you should be feeling awake and asleep according to AMD.
The AMD recommends letting your body get as much sunlight as possible during the times you’re meant to be awake. This can mean going for a morning walk, getting some sunlight into your home while getting ready, or opening up the blinds in your office.
At night or whenever you’re supposed to be asleep, try to stay away from light or screens. Instead of falling asleep to your favorite show, try reading a book or meditating before bed, block out as much light as possible until your body is used to the new time shift.
The time shift may be difficult to get used to, but understanding and communicating with your body can help get you back on schedule and even avoid physical effects like headaches.
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