Helpful in case of tiredness after the time change

Switching to summer time often causes difficulties for the body

03/28/2015

With the upcoming changeover from Saturday to Sunday, most people lose an hour of sleep, and the biorhythm has difficulty adjusting to the time difference in the coming days. The sleep researcher Jürgen Zulley from the University of Regensburg explained to the news agency „dpa“, how the fatigue on Monday can be overcome.

As a result of the time change Monday many people will get up particularly difficult to get up. In the morning, it is clearly darker again when the alarm clock rings early, and the body does not want to really get going. In the first few days after the time difference, symptoms such as headaches, lack of concentration, dizziness, tiredness and sleep disorders are also becoming more common. Also, the risk of a heart attack is temporarily significantly increased after the time change. In the past, the elimination of summer time has often been demanded in the past in view of the health burden, and so far without success. However, the tips of sleep researcher Jürgen Zulley can make it easier to get up and stay awake after the time changeover.

An hour's sleep is lost
With the switch to summer time in the night to Sunday (from 2 to 3 clock) shifts the daily routine of most people accordingly. First, they lose an hour of sleep, which can lead to increased fatigue on Sunday. But even in the coming days, more complaints appear, because the biorhythm takes some time to adjust to the shift. However, those who want to prepare themselves in advance for the time change can gradually adjust their getting up and sleeping hours in the days before. For example, a gradual adjustment in ten-minute increments over six days would be conceivable. Other activities - from getting up to going to bed - could possibly be brought forward half an hour on Saturday. Come this way „the body ever in the summer time rhythm“, so Zulley to the „dpa“.

From a nap is not recommended
Many would probably like to take a nap on Sunday due to fatigue, but Zulley advises against a nap. The sleep researcher explains that this would complicate the earlier fall asleep in the evening and be even Monday morning tired. For Monday is also advised against a nap in between, because the body could get used to the new time so easily. If fatigue makes a nap indispensable, the expert recommends that you do not sleep for more than half an hour. This has the least impact on sleep in the evening.

Complaints after the time change only temporarily
In order to facilitate getting up on Monday morning, the sleep researcher advises to turn on all the light that is there, as light helps to wake up. Even music can be helpful and also make good mood. As a general rule „very important: do not fret!“, so Zulley on. Those who suffer from increased fatigue, should be aware that this is only temporary. After all, it only takes a few days for the internal clock to adjust to the time difference. Also, the days are slowly getting longer and soon it is light again in the morning, when the alarm rings - despite time change.

Demand for the abolition of summer time
Since many people have considerable difficulties with the time change and also the originally hoped-for benefits - energy savings through better use of daylight - has not met, is now a majority of Germans for the abolition of summer time. Recent surveys have shown that nearly two-thirds of participants consider summer time to be unnecessary and would prefer to do away with it. (Fp)