The time has come again: on the night of March 29 to 30, the clocks will go forward one hour, kicking off Daylight Saving Time. We can look forward to coming home after work when it is still bright and waking up to daylight in the morning.
However, the time change presents us with a physical and mental challenge. Our bodies must first get used to it. And what to some people is “just” a “stolen” hour of sleep, for other it raises the question: when should I take my medication?
In order for you to start the new bright season well informed, we are happy to offer you some advice on the subject of time changes and medication.
A few tricks can help your body get used to getting up an hour earlier.
To quickly adapt to the new time, it is important to expose yourself to plenty of daylight in the morning and throughout the day. This will get the body’s day-night rhythm on the right track. You can also gradually go to bed earlier a few days before the time change to slowly accustom your body to the new schedule. To help you fall asleep easier and to sleep better, you should also avoid TVs and smartphones before going to bed. Another tip is for all those who like to take an afternoon nap: the popular “power nap” unfortunately risks hindering the body’s adaptation to the time change. You should therefore limit sleep to the night and take breaks to rest – while awake – during the day.
“Should I continue to take my antihypertensives at 8 a.m. or at 9 a.m. instead?”
The general recommendation is to always keep taking medication at a consistent time to avoid compromising its effect. However, since the change to Daylight Saving Time only involves a one-hour difference, in most cases it is possible to continue to take the medication at the usual time without any problems. In the case of many medications (e.g. antihypertensives, thyroid medications), our body is able to accept this slight, one-off shift. If you have to adhere exactly to your intake times (e.g. if the time interval from the previous intake is precisely defined), it is best to discuss with your doctor how you should deal with the time change.
At Mediteo, we are committed to helping you take your medications on time thanks to our reminders. Enjoy the arrival of Daylight Saving Time to the fullest with us.
Sources
- Zeitumstellung: Wie Schlaf unseren Körper beeinflusst
- Fernreisen: Auch Medikamente haben Jetlag – und so geht man damit um | | Cardiopraxis®
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