How the October Clock Change Impacts Your Health
The clock change in October brings an extra hour of sleep for many, but it can also impact health. The shift, which occurs on the last Sunday of October, alters our circadian rhythms—the internal clocks that regulate sleep, mood, and hormone production. While the autumn transition is generally less disruptive than in spring, it is not without its effects.
Understanding Circadian Rhythms
Circadian rhythms are biological processes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle. They influence various bodily functions, including sleep and alertness. Timo Partonen, a psychiatrist from the University of Helsinki, emphasizes the importance of these internal clocks. He notes that disruptions can affect sleep quality and mood.
Daylight Saving Time Explained
Daylight Saving Time (DST) involves moving clocks forward in spring and back in autumn to extend daylight hours. This year, clocks will revert on Sunday, October 26. While many welcome the additional hour, the change can disturb internal schedules, with some people more affected than others.
Malcolm von Schantz, a chronobiologist at Northumbria University, explains that this autumn adjustment is generally perceived as easier. Although many dislike the darker evenings, it is essential to realize that fewer daylight hours result from geography rather than the clock switch. Morning light is more crucial for our biological clocks, making the autumn change somewhat easier to adapt to, according to Partonen.
Health Implications of Time Shifts
Shifts in time can have more profound impacts. A 2025 study from Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Oxford found that women reported higher stress and worry levels after the clock change. Moreover, changes in children’s routines, like later bedtimes, may further compound household stress.
- The spring clock change is associated with health spikes, including heart attacks and traffic accidents.
- October’s change can lead to subtle health effects, like increased confusion and worry in certain individuals.
- Research from Stanford Medicine indicates that frequent clock changes may elevate risks for stroke and obesity.
Maintaining Healthy Sleep Patterns
Establishing a regular sleep pattern is vital for long-term health. Schantz advises against the modern habit of “social jet lag,” where individuals catch up on sleep during weekends. Evidence suggests that inconsistent sleep schedules may heighten the risk of severe cardiovascular events.
Rethinking Daylight Saving Time
There is growing support among scientists and sleep organizations for abolishing the biannual clock changes. The European Union proposed an end to these seasonal shifts in 2018, though member states have not reached a consensus on whether to adopt permanent standard or daylight-saving time.
As the clock adjustment approaches, experts recommend using the extra hour to refresh themselves. Partonen advises getting to bed earlier on the night of the clock change to maximize the benefits of the additional hour.
