How daylight saving time impacts your sleep, heart and overall health

It's either your favorite or least favorite time of year when daylight saving time comes to an end and most Americans get an extra hour of sleep after clocks fall back

Yes, it'll mean darker evenings, but what about the impact on our bodies

It's a debate we've heard for years, one that even pushes lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to take action almost every year

It's a question of what do you care about more sunshine and joy and fun and money or health, mental health, physical health

Several studies have noted issues with mood disturbances, increased hospital admissions and even heart attacks and strokes

A study from Stanford University found most Americans would be healthier without daylight saving time, estimating it could prevent 300,000 strokes each year and 2.6 million fewer cases of obesity

Supporters of permanent daylight saving time argue more evening light could save energy, deter crime, and give people more leisure time after work

But when a trial of permanent daylight saving time began in 1974 it didn last Many parents worried about their children heading to school in the dark Because our bodies run on a 24 circadian rhythm the shift in time is like mini jet lag

Even one hour can throw off your sleep cycle, cause stress in the body, and over time contribute to health issues

Only two states don't observe daylight saving time, Arizona and Hawaii. And according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 63% of Americans would rather get rid of it altogether

But until that happens, there are ways to help your body adjust

If you can, go outside. If not, try to be in a brightly lit room as much as possible or sit by a window

This will help facilitate kind of shifting your clock faster in the fall

You can also prioritize sleep in the days leading up to and after the switch and get some movement during the day to help boost your sleep quality

Ultimately, be kind to your body. It can take up to a week or longer to fully adjust

So drink some water, get some rest and give yourself a little grace as your body plays catch up

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I'm Kennedy Felton with Stray Arrow News