Springing Forward

Many people don't mind the spring time change because it gives us an extra hour of daylight to enjoy....but it can also play havoc on your internal clock, particularly if you're already sleep-deprived. Dr Charles Samuels is the VP Clinical for the Canadian Sleep Society and he tells CHSJ News there's data to support a greater frequency of accidents after time change.

Samuels says coffee is your friend this week and the Canadian Institute of Health Research actually recommends you get caffeinated before you get behind the wheel as your body adjusts to the time change.

Big Winnings and Gambling Addiction Intertwined

Those late nights spent emptying your wallet at the VLTs, could point to a problem. One of the first indications of gambling addiction is pouring time, money and energy that you can't afford to spend into gambling. Social worker Annie Pellerin tells CHSJ news that gambling addicts will often keep their distance from their home and those close to them.
 
She says that people who have gambled and struck it rich are prone to gambling addiction, as might try to recapture the high of winning over and over again. There is a direct correlation between gamblers who have won big, and addiction. However, Perellin adds, there are a variety of factors that make a person prone to gambling addiction.
The last gambling prevalence study was undertaken in 2009, where they found that VLT's are the most common form of gambling in the province. To seek help for a gambling addiction, call 1 (800) 461-1234, an information line and referral service.

How Does The Time Change Affect Your Sleep?

Many people don't mind the spring time change because it gives us an extra hour of daylight to enjoy.

That being said, it can also play havoc on your internal clock, particularly if you're already sleep-deprived. Dr Charles Samuels is the VP Clinical for the Canadian Sleep Society and he tells CHSJ News there's data to support a greater frequency of accidents after time change.

Samuels says the Canadian Institute of Health Research actually recommends you get caffienated before you get behind the wheel as your body adjusts to the time change.

While he says the time change isn't something you need to worry too much about, you should actually be concerned with how much sleep you're getting in general. Samuels cautions that most adults are carrying around an accumulated sleep debt of as much as 7 hours, and could reap major benefit by simply laying down for a 15 minute nap at the end of the work day.