Disruptions after time change affect Americans' health
The disruption caused by the time change can have long-term effects on sleep and mental health, with most people taking a week or two to adjust. As the debate over daylight saving time continues, it remains to be seen whether the US will adopt permanent standard time or find alternative solutions to mitigate the negative effects of the time change.
As daylight saving time begins, many Americans are experiencing disruptions to their sleep patterns, health, and daily routines, with research showing an increase in accidents, heart attacks, and spontaneous pregnancy loss, particularly for those who are already sleep-deprived.
The time change disrupts the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep, metabolism, and other bodily functions. People living in areas where the sun rises later will feel the effects more intensely, as will those with depression, bipolar disorder, and teenagers. Experts recommend exposure to natural light, exercise, and a consistent sleep schedule to adjust to the time change, as well as avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and creating a relaxing evening routine to improve sleep quality.
The effects of daylight saving time can be severe, with studies showing a 25% increase in heart attacks, as well as increased car wrecks and depression. In contrast, standard time follows the body's natural circadian rhythm, which is most stable when morning light exposure occurs early in the day. Adopting permanent standard time could reduce seasonal depression, improve workplace productivity, and make roads safer.
Despite the benefits, no country currently observes permanent daylight saving time, and previous attempts to implement it have been met with widespread public dissatisfaction, health concerns, and negative health effects. The US has seen a renewed debate on DST, with some lawmakers pushing for it to be made permanent, but major health organizations and the National Safety Council strongly oppose it due to its well-documented risks.
As the US continues to debate the merits of daylight saving time, some states have taken steps to mitigate its effects, such as enacting laws requiring high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 am. However, with twenty US states having passed legislation to adopt permanent daylight saving time, the issue remains a contentious one, with federal approval still required for these states to make the change permanent.
