Have you ever noticed you might get more headaches when you change the clocks for daylight saving time? It’s not just a figment of your imagination. It’s real, according to the experts at Mount Sinai.

Fred Cohen, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a headache specialist at the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Center for Headache Treatment and Translational Research, says there might be some science to why this is happening. And the key to avoiding headaches is making sure you get enough quality sleep, seven to eight hours, even if you change the clocks.

Fred Cohen, MD

It turns out sleep is one of the most important aspects of headache health.

Sleep allows our brain time to clean itself. There are chemical substances in the brain called neuropeptides and neurotransmitters that transmit messages in your brain that you use during the day. If you don’t sleep well, the brain can’t clean itself properly. The build-up of neuropeptides can cause inflammation, and inflammation leads to headaches.

“So that’s why it’s very important that we have good quality sleep, and that’s just not sleeping too little or sleeping too much,” Dr. Cohen says. Good quality sleep means you are not repeatedly waking up during the night or experiencing problems such as snoring, gasping for air, or going to the bathroom often.

“When daylight savings comes around, whether it’s spring forward or fall back, it’s very important to preserve seven to eight hours of sleep to prevent this from causing headache attacks,” Dr. Cohen says.

However, if you notice you are having frequent headaches, it may be worthwhile to contact a headache specialist.

This hearty butternut squash soup recipe is the perfect way to warm up this fall. This plant-based soup is easy to prepare and packed with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals—essential nutrients that boost the immune system, improve heart health, and reduce your risk for chronic disease. Enjoy!

Sidney Hankerson, MD, MBA, was the keynote speaker, and led the discussion.

The Growth in Operations, Administration, and Leadership Society (GOALS) Employee Resource Group (ERG) hosted its quarterly outing at Mount Sinai’s Corporate Services Center in June to recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month.

This event, coordinated by Shawn Lee, Associate Director of Operations for the Central Billing Office at the Mount Sinai Health System, brought together about 20 Black men from across the Mount Sinai community to have a candid conversation about the importance of mental health and surmounting the stigmas on mental health care.

The event’s keynote speaker was Sidney Hankerson, MD, MBA, Vice Chair of Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, and Population Health Science and Policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Hankerson, who is a nationally recognized expert at engaging faith- and community-based organizations to increase access to culturally relevant mental health care, facilitated the conversation and provided information on how to manage the challenges that Black men may encounter not only in health care but in their personal lives, as well.

Men, regardless of their race or ethnicity, have lower rates of seeking mental health services compared with women, Dr. Hankerson said. But Black men also face a complex array of socio-cultural factors, including racism and discrimination, misdiagnosis and clinician bias, and the common misconception that seeking help is a sign of weakness.

Among the tools available to support Black men’s mental health include culturally competent care, connections to religious communities that support mental health, exercise and behavioral activation, and social support. “I was pleased to see so many of our Mount Sinai brothers come together to create a sense of community for Black men,” said Reginald Miller, DVM, DACLAM, Dean for Research Operations and Infrastructure and Professor of Comparative Medicine and Surgery, and Environmental Health and Public Health at Icahn Mount Sinai. “Building a supportive network of Black males has been a main focus for GOALS.”

“We wanted to create a safe space where Black men can feel heard while also being able to connect with like-minded individuals, with whom they probably would have never met without a forum like this,” said Mr. Lee. “We look forward to expanding our GOALS network, collaborating with other groups, and aligning with system initiatives to foster equitable pathways for our members.”

To learn more about the GOALS ERG, email GOALS@mssm.edu or visit the website GOALS (Growth in Operations, Administrations and Leadership Society).