Most of us struggle when it comes to turning our clocks forward in the spring for daylight savings. That one little hour seems like an eternity of sleep that we must suddenly give up. But being groggy the next day or two is not the biggest issue that comes from lack of sleep—did you know that during this time we’re at a higher risk for heart attacks? Especially those already vulnerable to heart disease.
This lost hour of sleep may be the culprit of these sudden attacks.
Fox News reported a study which shows the number of heart attacks increase by 25 percent on the Monday after daylight savings begins, and then drops in the fall by 21 percent on the Tuesday just after we’ve turned our clocks back. Previous studies have shown that there is a link between lack of sleep and heart attacks.
“Our study,” said Dr. Amneet Sandhu, a cardiology fellow at the University of Colorado in Denver who led the study, “suggests that sudden, even small changes in sleep could have detrimental effects.”
The study researched hospitals in Michigan over a four year period and only researched those admitted and treated by the hospitals rather than including those who immediately passed away as a result of a heart attack.
To read more about Sandhu’s study, check out Fox News’ article, “
Daylight saving time linked to heart attack, study shows.”
Since sleep is so important for your health, it’s important to get enough of it every night…even in an emergency. Sleep naturally provides the energy you need to go about your day without relying on caffeinated drinks or other options. This is especially important in an emergency where you may need to stay more alert than normal.
Preparing you and your family for an emergency can help you sleep better at night if a disaster strikes. Without all the worries of how you’ll provide for your family, you can get a good night’s rest. If you haven’t already, start preparing yourself and your family by building a
food and
water storage supply, and by including essential gear such as
light,
communication tools,
hygiene supplies, and more into your preparedness supply. The better prepared you are, the less you’ll stay up at night worrying about a crisis or emergency.
Check out the following sources for some good tips to help you get a better night’s rest:
What tips do you have for getting a good night’s sleep?
--Kim
Photo Courtesy of Fox News
