Columbus, OH – As spring approaches and Ohio residents prepare to lose an hour of sleep when clocks move forward for daylight saving time this weekend, 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 daylight saving time shift can temporarily disrupt the body’s internal clock. Researchers say one of the most important processes during deep sleep involves the brain’s glymphatic system, a network responsible for clearing waste and toxins that build up throughout the day. Without enough restorative sleep, experts say that process becomes less efficient, potentially affecting cognitive function and long-term brain health.
Health professionals recommend adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Experts emphasize the goal is not just logging hours, but waking feeling refreshed and alert.
Poor sleep quality has been linked to a range of health concerns. Studies show chronic sleep disruption may increase inflammation, weaken immune response, elevate blood pressure and contribute to insulin resistance. Researchers also report connections between inadequate sleep and memory problems, difficulty concentrating and increased stress hormone levels such as cortisol.
Common warning signs of poor sleep may include frequent nighttime waking, daytime fatigue, irritability, increased appetite, and getting sick more often.
Medical professionals often refer to “sleep hygiene” when discussing ways to improve rest. Recommended strategies include maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake time — even on weekends — limiting screen exposure before bed, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake in the evening and creating a cool, dark and quiet sleep environment.
Experts say exposure to natural light in the morning can help regulate the body’s internal clock and make the transition to daylight saving time easier.
Public health officials emphasize that sleep should not be treated as optional. As Ohio residents adjust their clocks this weekend and move one hour forward, physicians encourage people to pay close attention to their nightly routines and seek medical advice if sleep problems persist.
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