Daylight Saving Time | Effects Sleep and Organs
Daylight Savings Time (DST) is a controversial altering of the clocks that not all countries practice. Moving the clocks forward one hour in the spring was proposed by a builder in 1907. Daylight Savings Time has been used to add those extra sunny hours during the afternoon and evening, rather than in the mornings.
DST theoretically was going to reduce energy costs by requiring less lighting, but that energy is easily tied into additional air conditioning during those long afternoons and evenings. DST does help with promoting outdoor activities and sports, after work activities, and reduced traffic problems since it isn't dark at peak traffic hours.
The other side of the DST practice is the problems it causes for
farming, and occupations that are tied with the sun. Economic issues,
several studies showed that the Daylight Savings Time practice costs
businesses $500 million - $1 Billion for travel and meeting changes, and
international affairs. DST cost the NY Stock Exchange $31 Million
dollars on the morning the clock changes due to effects on the
international market as shown in a recent study.
Daylight Savings Time Effects Sleep and Health
2008 studies showed sharp increases in suicide rates and heart attacks in the spring weeks when DST changes. The country of Kazakhstan abolished the practice of DST citing the complications and volume of health problems as the reason.
In 2008, a published study "Transitions into and out of daylight saving time compromise sleep and the rest-activity cycles" demonstrated that "transitions into and out of daylight saving time disrupted night-time sleep." They also reported that "transition out of DST was more detrimental to individuals with the preference to morning activities." After discussing the details and sciences of how all this may occur, the researchers firmly concluded, "Transitions out of and into daylight saving time enhance night-time restlessness and compromise the quality of sleep. They may thereby affect mood in a negative way and be a concern for individuals with mood disorder in particular."
Disrupted Sleep Effect Your Bone Structure
"Sleep is one of the most important functions of the brain. The ability of the nervous system to regulate sensory input is considered a prerequisite to sleep. Specific areas of the brain change in their function to prevent transmission of sensory information that might keep us awake. Patients suffering from pain or other sensory conditions that contribute to a continual activation of the brain may have difficulty sleeping"says Dr. Carrick, President of the ACA Council of Neurology.
Because sleep disturbances are a nervous system-modulated event, the whole system needs to be considered. "Insomnia, for example, includes looking at blood glucose levels and oxygen delivery systems that affect the central state of all nerve cell functions, especially the brain," says neurology specialist Gail Henry, DC.
Chiropractic care and application can offset and treat these neurological disturbances.
A 2008 study found a significant link between sleep disorders and abnormal bone metabolism. Researchers in 1999 demonstrated Lack Of Sleep Alters Hormones, Metabolism, Simulates Effects Of Aging .
For details of How does Cortisol Effect Our Immune System .
Meditation helps calm the nervous system, primarily the parasympathic nervous that attaches to organs such as kidneys, livers, spleen, etc. The parasympathetic nervous is referred to as the "rest and digest" nervous system as compared to the "fight and flight" system. The parasympathetic nervous responds very well to meditation and tai chi. If you have difficulty sleeping during the DST weeks, the meditation that we teach can help calm the mind, and soothe the nervous system.
Daylight Saving Time | Effects Sleep and Organs
Posted in Health
Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2009 at 6:25 PM by Sifu Smith