This weekend, most of the United States — except Hawaii and most of Arizona, which do not observe daylight saving time — gets an extra hour of sleep, but is this really a good thing?

Even though the day the clocks “go back” gives you an extra hour of sleep before your alarm goes off, the end of summer time in November has multiple health implications.

Moving the clock back one hour on the first Sunday in November means fewer daylight hours. For many, this means that when they leave work around 5 p.m., it’s already dark outside. It’s a disadvantage to turn back the clocks.

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A lot of health consequences turning back clocks is associated with a changed sleep schedule.

Many people have difficulty adjusting because their internal clock has been altered.

When the clocks “go back,” we gain an hour of sleep, but darkness comes earlier in the day. (iStock)

“Just one hour can change the quantity of sleep and the quality of your sleep,” said Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, according to the Associated Press.

“Lagged sleep can affect people’s ability to multitask, stay alert and even maintain their balance, making them more prone to accidents.”

Many people, especially those with pre-existing conditions, can experience darker moods after the time change and during the fall and winter months. There are different theories as to why this happens.

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The first is that the body’s circadian rhythm, its internal clock, is disrupted when days are shorter and there is less access to sunlight, which can cause mood swings. Turning the clocks back one hour marks the moment when the dark winter arrives.

The lack of serotonin the body receives at this time of year can also contribute to poor mood.

A time change can impact the body’s internal clocks, making it difficult to adjust. (iStock)

There are ways to help your body adapt for a smooth transition.

One thing you can do is keep your bedtime the same. Don’t use the extra hour of sleep as an excuse to stay up late the night before. Instead, go to bed at your usual time.

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When you wake up in the morning during the cold winter months, try to expose yourself to light early by opening the blinds around the house, sitting outside, or even taking a walk.

If you spend your days indoors, the morning hours may be your only opportunity to soak up minimal sunshine.

You can help your body adjust to the time change by practicing good sleep habits, like turning off your phone at night. (iStock)

Most clocks change on their own. Even though the time change doesn’t officially happen until 2 a.m., you can adjust your clock the night before so your body can better adapt to the change.

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A good practice no matter the time of year, but especially during the colder months, is to establish a good sleep routine.

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Avoid eating or drinking too close to bedtime, practice meditation to calm your body before bed, and pick up a book instead of reach for your phone before bed to limit your screen time.