Daylight Saving Time and Women’s Health: Marla Ahlgrimm

Daylight Saving Time is when we shift the clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall. It’s a subject of ongoing debate, but this often unwelcome time change may have some even less welcome impacts on a woman’s health. Marla Ahlgrimm, a women’s health advocate and self-help author, says even seemingly small shifts in time can have a significant impact on women’s physical and mental well-being.

Disrupted Rhythms

Marla Ahlgrimm emphasizes that our bodies operate on a natural 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. This internal clock regulates our sleep-wake patterns, hormone release, and other vital functions. Daylight Saving Time disrupts this rhythm and can lead to many issues with a woman’s health.

Mental Health

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, a change in daylight hours can affect mood and mental health. She points out that the reduced morning light and increased evening light can throw off the body’s natural production of melatonin and serotonin. These hormones are crucial for sleep and mood regulation, respectively. Studies show a correlation between Daylight Saving Time and increased depressive symptoms, particularly during the fall, when evening light decreases. Marla Ahlgrimm also notes that sleep deprivation, a common consequence of Daylight Saving Time, can exacerbate anxiety and irritability.

Physical Health

Marla Ahlgrimm highlights the physical health risks associated with suddenly changing the clock. Research indicates a rise in heart attacks and strokes in the days following the spring change. She also explains that the disruption of the circadian rhythm can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and the production of stress hormones, including cortisol. Further, Marla Ahlgrimm cautions that sleep deprivation caused by Daylight Saving Time can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of various health problems.

The Menstrual Cycle

Daylight Saving Time also has the potential to affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. While scientific evidence is limited, Marla Ahlgrimm suggests that the disruption of the circadian rhythm can indirectly affect the hormones that regulate menstruation and ovulation. Changes in sleep patterns and stress levels can influence hormone balance, potentially leading to cycle irregularities.

Mitigating the Effects

While you can’t turn back the clock, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends several strategies to help reduce the impact of Daylight Saving Time. These include prioritizing sleep, maximizing morning light exposure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and limiting evening screen time. If possible, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends that women gradually adjust their sleep schedule in the days leading up to the change. By waking up a bit earlier, the body is exposed to more natural daylight, which can help reset and rebalance the internal clock. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing blue light exposure can also help.

Daylight Saving Time has been the subject of debate for many years. But there is little that individuals can do to maintain a normal schedule when the rest of the world is shifting their clocks back and forth. Thankfully, with a few minor lifestyle changes, Marla Ahlgrimm says that most women can reduce the negative impact of Daylight Saving Time.