Chicago, IL – As spring approaches and Illinois residents prepare to lose an hour of sleep when clocks move forward for daylight saving time, health experts say now is the time to be aware of how disrupted sleep can affect overall health.
According to the National Association of Environmental Medicine, sleep is one of the body’s most important healing functions. During deep sleep, the body enters what experts describe as a “repair mode,” allowing cells to regenerate, hormones to rebalance, and inflammation levels to decrease.
The upcoming daylight saving time change can temporarily disrupt the body’s internal clock. Researchers say one of the most critical processes that occurs during deep sleep involves the brain’s glymphatic system, a network responsible for clearing waste and toxins that accumulate throughout the day. When sleep is shortened or disrupted, that system becomes less efficient, potentially affecting cognitive function and overall brain health.
Health professionals generally recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Experts say the goal is not only reaching a certain number of hours but waking up feeling refreshed and mentally alert.
Poor sleep quality has been linked to a range of health concerns. Studies have shown chronic sleep disruption may increase inflammation, weaken the immune system, elevate blood pressure, and contribute to insulin resistance. Researchers have also linked inadequate sleep to memory problems, higher stress hormone levels, and reduced focus.
Common warning signs of poor sleep may include frequent nighttime waking, daytime fatigue, irritability, increased appetite, and getting sick more often.
Medical professionals often recommend improving “sleep hygiene” to maintain healthy sleep patterns. Strategies include maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake schedule, limiting screen exposure before bed, reducing evening caffeine and alcohol intake, and creating a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment.
Experts say exposure to natural light in the morning can also help the body adjust more quickly to the daylight saving time shift.
Public health officials emphasize that sleep should be treated as an essential biological function rather than an optional habit. As clocks move forward and spring begins, doctors encourage residents to pay close attention to their sleep routines and speak with a healthcare provider if sleep problems persist.
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