If you love sleep, it’s probably already hard to drag yourself out of bed early in the morning as it is. But the start of daylight saving time may make the process of getting up even more difficult. Losing sleep when the clocks spring forward an hour doesn’t just have us reaching for an extra-large cup of coffee; it is also linked to a number of health issues and an increase in vehicle crashes.¹

Of course, OnStar* Members know that Advisors are available 24/7 if they experience a problem on the road, including health emergencies and vehicle crashes. But even with that added peace of mind, below are some tips on how to prepare for daylight saving time.

Your daily schedule for sleep and wakefulness is controlled by your circadian rhythm, which is tied to your 24-hour body clock. Losing an hour of sleep affects that rhythm and consistency, increasing the risk of having a heart attack or another cardiovascular event. “We see a significant rise in heart attacks the Monday after daylight saving time compared to other Mondays during the year,” says Michelle Drerup, psychologist and director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. “Less sleep is causing increased inflammation and that has something to do with it.”

Drerup says researchers have also seen data that suggests there may be an increase in mood disorders and suicides due to the disruption caused by the time change. “Some people just have a lot harder time adjusting to that than others,” she says.

In a study of Canadian drivers published in 1996, researchers saw an 8% rise in crashes on the Monday following the spring time change.² Similarly, a 2015 study showed that crashes on Manitoba roadways increased by about 20% the day after the time change.³ And a newer study in the United States from 2020 found a similar result: the fatal traffic accident risk increased by 6% following the time change, with the highest risk in the morning.⁴

Drerup believes there are several reasons behind the increase. People are more tired or may be rushing to their destination because they woke up late. And because the sun rises later after the time change, it’s darker out in the morning, so it can be harder for drivers to see other cars or pedestrians.

“We’re already a chronically sleep-deprived society. So losing that hour of sleep takes away from what we may not be getting enough of already,” says Drerup.

Even with risks on the road, OnStar Members have some added peace of mind when they get behind the wheel. For instance, Automatic Crash Response* is activated if your vehicle detects you’ve been in a crash. An Emergency-Certified Advisor* can connect in to your vehicle, contact First Responders and provide them with your location. Advisors are also able to provide medical assistance until help arrives. And OnStar doesn’t just assist Members — you can be a Good Samaritan by pushing the red Emergency button* in your vehicle if you see someone else who needs help. If you get lost in the morning while it’s still dark out, you can also use Turn-by-Turn Navigation* to get to your destination. Plus, the OnStar Guardian™ app* provides key OnStar safety services for up to seven of your close friends and family, in or out of your vehicle.

It’s never easy to lose that hour of sleep with the beginning of daylight saving time. But following these tips, you’ll feel more prepared so you can spring forward to the best of your abilities, while minimizing the impact on your health, driving safety and sleep schedule.

1. The Cleveland Clinic

2. The New England Journal of Medicine

3. Manitoba Public Insurance

4. Current Biology