Daylight savings can make GA folks sick, experts say. Here’s how to survive it

As the days get shorter and shorter, adjusting to Daylight Saving Time can be a hard transition. According to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the shift from DST back to standard time in the fall is less disruptive than the spring forward.

Still, shifting the clock can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm. When we lose morning light and gain more evening light, our internal clock tends to drift later, pushing back sleep and activity times.

A new study from Stanford Medicine News Center, says that Americans would be healthier, in general, without daylight saving. The medical team says, “Either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time would be healthier than our seasonal waffling.”

Effects of Daylight Saving Time on health

You may already be experiencing some of these side effects, but you might be surprised the reach of the effects.

Common side effects of DST

• Sleep disruption
• Fatigue and decreased alertness
• Mood disturbances
• Circadian rhythm misalignment
• Worsening chronic health conditions
• Increased risk of car accidents
• Short-term spike in cardiovascular events

Groups more susceptible to DST

While everyone feels the effects in some way, several groups of people have it the worst.

• Adolescents and high school students
• Early risers and late sleepers
• Individuals with pre-existing conditions like depression or anxiety
• Medical residents

What are the effects on sleep?

On average, studies show that people only gain about 33 minutes of sleep, not an hour, on the Sunday of the change. For most of the population, the body adjusts quickly, sometimes after a single night, but early risers and folks who get less than 7.5 hours of sleep may struggle more.

Sleep deprivation can be very destructive and cause a lot of problems.

Physical ailments:

• A weakened immune system which can lead to higher susceptibility to infections
• An increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity
• Higher blood pressure
• Hormonal imbalances affecting hunger and appetite control

Cognitive impairments:

• Reduced alertness and slower reaction times
• Impaired memory and learning abilities
• Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
• Decreased cognitive function and logical reasoning skills

Tips for surviving DST

There are ways to mitigate the side effects of the fall daylight saving time change, says The Sleep Foundation that should definitely These steps collectively help stabilize your circadian rhythm and minimize symptoms

Strategies include:

• Go to bed 15 minutes later every night for a few nights before the time change.
• Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep before and after the change to cut grogginess.
• Keep your sleeping environment dark to allow longer sleep during the earlier sunrise after the change.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and electronic devices before bedtime.
• Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness meditation to ease the transition to the new sleep schedule.

Despite the debate over Daylight Savings Time and Georgia voting to make it permanent, experts recommend Permanent Standard Time. What do you think? Should we keep it?

Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Daylight savings can make GA folks sick, experts say. Here’s how to survive it."