US and Canada Daylight Savings Time Starts March 8

On March 8, most of the US and Canada sets clocks forwardan hour. You know the saying, “Spring forward, fall back.” What effect does losing an hour in your daily routine to the start of Daylight Savings Time (DST) have on your health?

Many people feel groggy or tired when the time changes in spring. Disrupted sleep schedules have negative impacts on the body’s circadian rhythms. Hospital admissions increase at this time of year, as do car crashfatalities. Stress at the start of DST causes elevated production of cortisoland inflammatory markers, with more heart attacks and strokes.

How can you avoid these potentially life-threatening consequences of the switch to Daylight Savings Time?

Officially, Daylight Savings Time (where it is in effect) begins at 2am Sunday morning. It’s probably more efficient to turn your alarm clock ahead at bedtime on Saturday night so you don’t miss out on Sunday morning events. Start shifting your sleep schedule slightly backwards about 2-3 days earlier in the week of the time change. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and heavy meals within 2-3 hours of when you go to bed.

Ensure propersleep hygiene- keeping your bedroom dark, cool, quiet, and free of electronic devices. Get a 10-15 minute dose of morning sunlight as soon as you wake up. If you need a daytime nap because of extra fatigue, make it a short one so it doesn’t interfere with your night’s sleep.

Be prepared to spring forward with energy and good health on the morning of March 8. 

Displays and Exhibits for Healthinfo Island for March 2026

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this posting. While in Second Life, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images. If you click each poster, you will get a private message with additional information and live links.

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island
Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

March 22 is World Coma Day
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24

11 Essential Elements in the Human Body
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

Sleep Hygiene
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

Why You Should Read More!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

Don't Ignore These Neurological Symptoms
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

What Wonder is the Wrist
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

Love those Leafy Greens
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

Thank you to Mook for assistance with the posters this month.

What Do Americans Think About Health and Wellness?

Research!America is a nonprofit scientific research advocacy organization with a mission to achieve better health for everyone. In January 2025, Research!America released the results of their survey of the American public about their feelings regarding medical and health research.

Here are some of the results of this survey:

·         Over eight out of ten Americans believe that scientists should inform the public about their research and its impact on society.

·         Over nine out of ten Americans believe that it is important that the US be a global leader in research to improve health, and over six in ten would pay $50 more in annual taxes to ensure this.

·         Over half felt that the COVID crisis helped them better understand how health research works.

·         Over six in ten Americans think their regular health care provider should encourage them to participate in appropriate clinical trials.

A 2025 study, the Axios/Ipsos American Health Index, shows that Americans are looking for clearer information and guidance regarding health and wellness. This study also indicated that trust in federal health agencies is declining, and fewer Americans believe they know who shapes the advice offered by public health agencies.

According to the American Health Index study, the majority of Americans would like to see national health institutions strengthened. Americans feel they don’t really understand public health news stories, but once they are aware of the topics covered, they do care about the issues. Yet the public’s trust in public health agency advice is declining.

Unfortunately, despite the public’s increased interest in better understanding of and potential participation in health and wellness research, this is becoming less likely to happen. Recent terminations of National Institute of Health grants for clinical trial research have affected over 74,000 people who were participating in research studies. The two divisions most impacted by the research cancellations are those funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

The need for continued research in the mental health area is indicated by the increase in symptomsof anxiety and depression, especially among younger adults, and by the recent large increase in the number of mental health diagnoses. Both racialand geographic health disparities have been increasing, and the life expectancy gap between racial groups is widening.

A clinical trial is the main process by which new medications and other medical interventions are evaluated for safety and effectiveness. This process is resource intensive and requires significant time to complete. Maybe instead of waiting for your healthcare provider to suggest your participation in a clinical trial, you could suggest one you are interested in. A good place to learn about existing clinical trials worldwide is at the ClinicalTrials.gov website. You might also want to register your interest in volunteering for a clinical trial at ResearchMatch.

  

Past the Expiration Date? Maybe No Problem!

Although it’s always a good practice to check the expiration dates of foods before you use them, it is still usually safe to use certain foods that have “expired.” The printed expiration dates on many foods are conservative, and the food may still be as edible as it was the day before.

Dry or low moisture products such as rice, dry beans or dry pasta last long past their expiration date if stored in a cool, dry place in their original packages. Canned goods are safe for up to four years after their expiration date, as long as the can is undamaged. Highly acidic foods and those that contain a lot of sugar or have been heat treated are similarly safe beyond the printed expiration date on the label. Acid, sugar and heat inhibit the growth of microorganisms that spoil foods.

Unopened jam is fine half a year past the expiration date because of its high sugar content; store the jam in the refrigerator once the lid has been opened. Unopened mayonnaise is also safe for 6 months due to its high acidity.

The pasteurization of dairy milk allows continued use a week or so past the printed expiration data. But any off odor or change in color or clumps indicate that the milk is no longer going to taste right. Unopened shelf-stable plant-based milks will generally be safe if kept cool and dry; their ultra-high pasteurization temperature and sterile packaging ensure long palatability.

Many foods are actually still totally safe to eat after their expiration date, although the quality of flavor and texture may degrade over time. For instance, older dried beans will take longer to cook. So when you do a pantry inventory, don’t automatically throw out items that are past their expiration date.