As the clocks spring forward, it’s important to be aware of the risks of the clocks moving forward. 

Every spring, the clocks move forward by one hour as part of daylight saving time in order to have brighter evenings over the summer. 

Speaking on Show Me the Science, Professor Luke O’Neill said there is increased risk of heart attack, strokes and mood disturbances when the clocks move forward. 

“This is statistically proven that the effects are modest in that they're small effects, but they're still significant,” he said. 

Daylight saving and inflammation

In particular, there is seemingly a connection between daylight savings and inflammation. 

“There was a huge study done in 2020, they looked at the health records of 150 million people in the US and in Sweden, 9 million people's health records were looked at,” Prof O’Neill explained. 

“An inflammatory disease of your bowel, that was ramped up symptom wise in the days after the change because of this slight pivot towards inflammation. 

The abrupt change to the 'sleep-wake cycle' has been linked to inflammation and imbalances in the nervous system. 

Poor effects for mental health

Daylight savings also appears to have a deeply negative affect on mental health, according to Prof O’Neill. 

“It overall it seems to be to do with, if you shift the clock forward in time, it's likely you get less exposure to morning sunlight,” he said. 

“If you don't get enough of that morning sun on you, the body clock goes off kilter for a while.” 

A non-biological but immutable effect of the clocks changing is an increase in road fatalities. 

“There was a 6% increase in the risk of fatal car crashes,” Prof O’Neill said. “It could be sleepiness; it could be this inflammatory state.” 

How to adapt

The main question is really how to best deal with the clocks changing, and Prof O’Neill’s advice is advice that applies to anyone trying to improve their sleep. 

“Don't go to bed an hour later or an hour earlier depending on what it is,” he said. “Because then you’re going to be out of sync [with your body clock]. 

“Very importantly, get exposed to early morning sunlight - that's a really important thing anywhere anytime of the year. 

“That resets the body clock every day and keeps the rhythms intact, and you'll make your melatonin at the right time.” 

Until our Government – or the entire EU – decides to abandon daylight saving time, it’s best to follow this advice.