Daylight Savings is coming up in March and this time, it’s the difficult one to handle; “Spring Forward”. Daylight Savings was introduced in Canada in 1918 by the government to increase productivity and production after the First World War. Although it worked at the time to allow for more hours of sunlight, recent studies have found that Daylight Savings can adversely affect the circadian rhythm, which can lead to symptoms such as insomnia, trouble staying awake during the day, headaches, depression, and fatigue.
While in most cases, these symptoms can safely resolve themselves within a few days, research has found a direct correlation between fatal car accidents and “Spring Forward” in North America. Studies showed a 6% increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents during the week after the time change, due to the discovery that drowsy driving was equally as dangerous as drunk driving/driving under the influence. This suggests that Daylight Savings can not only be inconvenient, it can also lead to dangerous situations for us and our loved ones.
Although it may feel like a frustrating and inevitable part of each spring season that passes, there may be a safe and natural way for us to decrease the consequences of “Spring Forward” and its potentially dangerous effects on our daily lives; acupuncture treatments.
The Effects of Acupuncture on Sleep
Acupuncture is an all-natural remedy for circadian rhythm disturbances and the symptoms that come with it. It can effectively support your natural systems throughout the day to give you the rest you need, when you need it.
1. Before Bed: Regulate Hormone Production
Acupuncture can help regulate the production of different hormones, including the increase in endorphins, which can help calm the body and relax individuals, and the decrease of cortisol, which causes tension and anxiety, allowing for an easier time falling asleep.
2. During Sleep: Enhance Circulation
Acupuncture treatments have been shown to help gently dilate blood vessels, which can increase blood flow, resulting in a more comfortable, healing, and deep sleep each night. This can also lead to feeling more refreshed in the morning.
3. In the Morning: Restore Energy
In addition to feeling more well rested with adequate sleep throughout the night, acupuncture can help rebalance and revitalize the flow of energy within your body, which can help individuals feel more invigorated and awake during the day.
Put a Spring in your Step with Acupuncture
All of these factors can help you accelerate the rebalance of your sleep patterns and circadian rhythms after a time shift. The gentle nature of these treatments are able to target the systems responsible for providing your body with sleep, healing, and relaxation, without adding any unnatural chemicals or medications to do so. In addition, regularly scheduled acupuncture treatments can help you regulate your sleep patterns, and provide more lasting effects throughout the year. Acupuncture is safe, natural, and best of all, it is easily accessible in our Richmond community.
At Evolve Therapeutic, we want to help answer any questions you may have about your symptoms and unique needs. If you are wondering if acupuncture can help you but are still unsure if it is right for you, book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our acupuncturists. Click the link below to book your appointment!
