We just ended summer, or Daylight Saving Time (DST), in the Northern hemisphere, and clocks are set back by one hour. While many enjoyed the extra hour of rest, the darker evenings can be challenging for those sensitive to seasonal changes, potentially heightening mental health concerns. So, how does this shift impact our overall well-being, especially our mental health?
Several studies suggest that adjusting our clocks can disrupt natural rhythms, increasing certain health risks. The forward time change in spring, for instance, has been associated with a heightened risk of heart issues, such as myocardial infarction1. Additionally, fatal road accidents spike on both spring and fall, and by as much as 30% on the day of the change, likely due to reduced sleep and misaligned internal clocks2. These shifts show a clear, if temporary, impact on physical health. But for mental health, the effects are more nuanced and often tied to the seasonal changes accompanying DST.
Research has used peaks in psychoactive substance use around DST as an indicator of heightened mental health challenges, and these happen around DST shifts3. However, the primary influence on mental health seems to stem from seasonal changes rather than DST itself. Reduced daylight in winter has been closely linked to increased rates of mood disorders, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This seasonality is also reflected in emergency room visits for conditions like non-bipolar depression, which tend to rise in winter4.
Rather than causing new conditions, the clock change often exacerbates existing ones. For individuals prone to SAD, the DST shift may signal a need to take preventative action as the darker months approach.
At Dendron, we recognize the importance of managing seasonal impacts before they escalate. Our upcoming neurotech headset is designed to empower users to track brain activity related to conditions like anxiety and depression, offering continuous monitoring and early warning for mental health changes. With our device, users can also maintain a connection with their therapists and access neurofeedback therapy — a proven method for managing symptoms compatible with traditional, evidence-based treatments.
As the days grow shorter, proactive mental health care can make a world of difference. Seasonal changes, particularly in winter, affect mental wellness, and our goal at Dendron is to equip people with the tools they need to understand and address these fluctuations effectively.
References
[2] Prats-Uribe, A., Tobías, A., & Prieto-Alhambra, D. (2018). Excess risk of fatal road traffic accidents on the day of daylight saving time change. Epidemiology, 29(e44–e45). https://doi.org/10.1097/ede.0000000000000865
[3] Zhang, H., Dahlén, T., Khan, A., Edgren, G., & Rzhetsky, A. (2020). Measurable health effects associated with the daylight saving time shift. PLoS Computational Biology, 16(6), e1007927. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007927
[4] Heboyan, V., Stevens, S., & McCall, W. V. (2019). Effects of seasonality and daylight savings time on emergency department visits for mental health disorders. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 37(8), 1476-1481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2018.10.056