Experts warn: a great fatigue will hit the population

With March comes the first rays of sunshine, the first blooming of flowers, the days are stretching out… spring is around the corner, along with its colours. All this is positive for the morale. However, beware of this well-known phenomenon which is a real test for the body.

The phenomenon in question also occurs in October and disrupts the body, especially the youngest: time change. The switch to Daylight Saving Time, scheduled for the night of March 29 to 30, will lead to general fatigue, even more pronounced than during the switch to Winter Time. All experts agree, Daylight Saving Time, which results in the loss of one hour of sleep per night, is harmful to the body, informs the Journal des Femmes.

Biologist Carla Finkelstein from the Society for Research in Biological Rhythms, in an interview with Newsweek, explains: "Research shows that Daylight Saving Time disrupts our biological (circadian) clock by reducing morning sunlight exposure, which delays our sleep schedules and can have negative effects on our health." She also points out that "remaining on Standard Time all year round is much better for our circadian rhythms, our overall health, and our well-being". Unfortunately, there's no escaping this time change, implemented in France since 1975, along with the inevitable fatigue that accompanies it.

So, what's the solution to avoid the overwhelming fatigue?

"Try not to go to bed late" on the night of the time change, advises Carla Finkelstein. Meanwhile, Dr Catherine Lamblin, a sleep physician, recommends not to “accumulate fatigue. If it's possible, set a bedtime around 11pm." Before the critical date, it's also better to go to bed earlier than usual (by a about half-hour) in order to gradually adapt your body to the new cycle. Once the time change has passed, it's important to “listen to our body and go to bed when we feel tired," adds Dr Lamblin.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Le Journal des Femmes - Illustration: ©Unsplash)