Struggling with a headache today? The time change may be to blame
Daylight saving time is a subject surrounded by many strong opinions and polarized experiences—for some, it can even negatively affect health.
This Monday, millions of North Americans are adjusting to the weekend "spring forward" time change after daylight saving time began in the early hours of Sunday, March 9. For many, that "missing hour" of sleep may be more than an annoyance.
Previous reporting from the Citizen Times covered studies that linked these time changes to health issues like heart disease, strokes, mood disturbances, and more. Recently, the Association of Migraine Disorders confirmed that for many people, DST can be a headache - literally.
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Here's what we know about the link between DST and headaches, plus tips on reducing the negative effects of the time change and more.
Does daylight saving time cause headaches?
The Association of Migraine Disorders confirms that, especially for people with headache disorders such as cluster headaches and migraines, time changes can be a pain in a very literal sense.
The association acknowledges several factors when it comes to headaches caused by yearly time changes. However, the main culprit behind time change headaches is disruption to circadian rhythm, the body's "natural clock."
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Circadian rhythm helps to maintain a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle, and coordinates basic functions like temperature, hormone release, metabolism, blood pressure, and sleep. When the body experiences a time change, this rhythm is disrupted, which can affect the sleep-wake cycle and the release of hormones.
“A lot of it has to do with sunlight exposure or, in this case, lack of sunlight exposure,” said neurologist Jennifer Chima from virtual neurology clinic Neura Health in an interview with the association. “Sunlight stimulates the hypothalamus to promote wakefulness, and it inhibits the production of melatonin. So losing that it just throws your whole sleep-wake cycle off.”
Does daylight saving time cause health problems?
Research shows that daylight saving time can cause other health problems and disruptions apart from headaches. NPR published an article on the matter that said in the days following a time change, the country sees a higher incidence of car accidents, strokes, and heart attacks.
Work injuries, fatal overdoses, suicides, and even spontaneous pregnancy loss in some IVF patients are also more common immediately following the change.
How to adjust to the time change
The Association of Migraine Disorders provided a list of several ways to help everyone - not just people who suffer from migraines - make the process of adjusting to the time change a little bit easier. Their suggestions included:
Gradually shift your schedule - If possible, consider making 15-minute shifts in your sleep-wake routine every day for four days, instead of making the one-hour shift all at once.
Get some light - During the daytime, get extra light exposure from sunlight or a light therapy box.
Avoid screens - Another light-related tip is to avoid screens at night. Try a screen-free hobby like reading, or even wear blue-light-blocking glasses when watching TV or scrolling on your phone.
When does daylight saving time end in 2025?
In the fall, clocks "fall back" one hour, providing many Americans an extra hour of sleep.
Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday of November each year. In 2025, clocks will fall back an hour on Sunday, Nov. 2.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Daylight saving time can be a pain. What to know about the link between DST and headaches
Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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