How the End of Daylight Saving Time Impacts Sleep and Your Overall Health

CINCINNATI (November 1, 2026) - On Sunday, November 1, Americans will 'fall back' as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end. While many people will enjoy gaining that extra hour Saturday into Sunday, the time change can impact some people's sleep and overall health.

Karthik Kanagarajan, MD, pulmonary and sleep specialist with The Christ Hospital Health Network, says the time change can contribute to interrupted sleep leading to cardiovascular illness including heart attack. Your heart and vascular system need time during sleep to recover.

"Lack of sleep can increase mood disorders, depression, anxiety and even short-term memory loss," said Dr. Kanagarajan. "It's important to know if the time change impacts you and to plan for Daylight Saving Time coming to an end."

To maximize the benefits of an extra hour we gain from fall time change AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) recommends the following:

• Wait to change your clocks until it is time to get ready for bed.
• Go to bed at your usual bedtime.
• Just before getting into bed, set your clocks back one hour.
• Wake up at your standard wake time.
• Take note of how much better you feel after an extra hour of sleep.
• On the Sunday after the time change, your normal bedtime will be an hour earlier. Go to bed at this earlier time to reset your sleep schedule to achieve longer sleep.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network
The Christ Hospital Health Network consists of an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of medical offices throughout the region. For 138 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves. Made up of more than 1,300 physicians and more than 7,600 team members, our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional outcomes in an affordable way. The Network was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #3 hospital in Ohio and named to Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals list in 2026.

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