Every third woman suffers from the time change

Every third woman suffers from the time change. Many people complain of sleep disorders and tiredness.

One in three women suffers from the time change in autumn. According to a survey of the health insurance DAK need about 25 percent of those affected even several days to get used to the new time setting. Often the afflicted complain of tiredness and sleep disorders. In addition, many react irritated and unfocused at work or at home. „Women are often more sensitive to changes in their bodies“, explains Dr. Susanne Bleich, a doctor at the DAK. „They listen more carefully and feel alarm signals, such as fatigue or exhaustion, faster.“

Men are less affected by the time changes
And what about the men? According to the DAK survey, only one out of every five men reported suffering from discomfort when time changes. Only 13 percent need extra time to get used to the changeover. „Men actually seem to be more robust and resistant to biorhythms“, explains Dr. Pale. „Sometimes they are a bit too relaxed about their health and too much too.“

Can more people "get sick" during this time?
Does the time change lead to more work breaks? No, an increase in sick leave could not make up the DAK in the time window. This applies to women and men alike. In the week after the changeover, the number of sick leave records at the DAK in 2009 rose by only one percent. In the two years before, it even sank.

The time change upsets the biorhythm
But how is it that some suffer from sleep disturbances or heavy tiredness?? „Due to the time change, many of the biorhythms get confused“, says Dr. Pale. „One is more awake in the morning and tired earlier in the evening. As a rule, the body needs a few days to get used to it.“ If you want to prepare yourself for the mini-jetlag, you can always go to bed a few days earlier.

More traffic accidents due to the time change
Auto Club Europe (ACE) had earlier this year pointed out that immediately after the time change, the number of traffic accidents increased significantly. However, ACE referred to information provided by the Federal Statistical Office. As a result, over the past five years the month after the changeover, traffic accidents have increased by 28 percent. Again, it is reasonable to suppose that many people suffer from sleep disturbances due to the time change and thus from fatigue. On Sunday the 31st of October, the clock will be reset from three to two o'clock.

How to prevent?
Naturopathy offers alternative forms of treatment with herbal ingredients such as St. John's wort, valerian and lemon balm. In addition, measures such as exercise and outdoor activities can lead to a healthy exhaustion in the evening, which could positively affect sleep. The change marks the change from summer time to winter time (normal time). (sb, 21.10.2010)

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More accidents due to time change?