Sunset on Sleep: Time Change Disrupts Health
The time change can have significant effects on our health, with sleep deprivation linked to various health problems, and experts recommending gradual adjustments to mitigate these effects, as the debate continues on the future of daylight saving time, with options ranging from maintaining the current system to making DST or Standard Time permanent.
As daylight saving time begins, the 2 a.m. time change can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to negative effects on health, including sleep trouble, heart attacks, and strokes, with experts recommending gradual adjustments to mitigate these effects.
The time change can disrupt the circadian rhythm, regulated by exposure to sunlight and darkness, leading to sleep deprivation, which is linked to various health problems, including fatal car crashes and heart attacks. To prepare, people can start adjusting their sleep schedules a few nights before the time change, and exposure to morning sunlight can help. Experts recommend gradually shifting bedtimes, rising earlier, and avoiding afternoon naps and evening light to help adjust to the new time.
Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, advocate for eliminating the time change altogether, citing its negative impact on sleep and health. Trump's stance on Daylight Saving Time (DST) has sparked debate about potential changes to the practice, with three options being considered: maintaining the current system, making DST permanent, or making Standard Time permanent. However, experts are uncertain about the exact changes he plans to implement.
Making DST permanent would mean advancing the clocks an hour for the entire year, allowing people to make use of evening daylight year-round. However, this has been tried before, and the results were unpopular. On the other hand, making Standard Time permanent would mean setting the clocks back an hour for the entire year, allowing people to wake up with the sun year-round, with many health and sleep experts supporting this option, citing its benefits for health and safety.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen which option will be implemented, with the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act aiming to make DST permanent, but its passage uncertain, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for daylight saving time and its impact on our health and sleep patterns.
