Notice Board

Daylight Saving – Time Change

On Sunday, Nov. 2, Daylight Saving ends, and clocks will roll back one hour. Though one hour may not seem like much it can disrupt our schedules and lead to an impact on our health and well-being. Research into Daylight Saving has shown the first few days after the time change are associated with an increase in workplace incidents.

Sleep disturbance of any kind, including the time change, can cause workers to become more fatigued, experience headaches/migraines and can heighten feelings of depression, anxiety and mental exhaustion. Decreases in alertness, reaction time and decision-making ability all have the potential to affect our health and safety and the health and safety of those around us while at work, on the road or at home.

Help your body prepare for the time difference by considering the following tips: 

• Gradually adjust your bedtime in the days leading up to the time change. By going to bed 10-15 minutes earlier every night and getting out of bed 10-15 minutes earlier, your body has more time to adjust.
• On the evening of the time change, adjust your clocks backward by one hour and go to bed at your normal bedtime.
• Don’t over-caffeinate for several hours before bedtime.
• Avoid being late, which can cause you to rush. Prepare as much as you can the day before going to work (e.g. prepare breakfast/lunch the day before)
• Morning hours will be lighter which may affect your commute to work. Evenings will be darker for your commute from work.
• Fatigue slows down your reaction time on the road so remain alert and avoid driving if drowsy or tired.
• Check in with your co-workers to see if they are experiencing any impact from the time change.