Is Daylight Saving Time coming to an end? How the Sunshine Protection Act May Affect Health The majority of Americans are getting ready to move their clocks forward on Sunday in preparation for the start of daylight saving time. In any case, a few individuals from Congress are attempting to pass regulation that would make this “spring forward” the final remaining one, even against the desires of the medical services local area.
In March 2022, the Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act, which would permanently implement daylight saving time—clocks would always be one hour ahead of the sun.12 However, many sleep experts concur that permanent daylight saving time may not be beneficial to our health.
Anita Shelgikar, MD, a sleep neurologist at the University of Michigan Health, professor of neurology, and director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical School, stated to Health, “The concern with daylight saving time is that there is a mismatch between our internal clock and the time of the world around us.”
The most pressing issue with this proposal is the possibility of having an adverse effect on sleep. Individuals might battle to get up in the first part of the day when it’s as yet dull outside, and may likewise struggle with nodding off around evening time on the off chance that it’s actually light out, noted Dr. Shelgikar.
However, a majority of members of Congress from both parties are in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, and a significant number of Americans appear to be on board as well. A poll conducted in 2022 revealed that 61% of respondents dislike switching between daylight saving time and permanent standard time. 44% of respondents favor permanent daylight saving over changing the time of day.3 The following is what experts had to say about the Sunshine Protection Act’s future, how sunlight affects health, and how to get the most out of your sleep throughout the year.
A Popular Idea With Potentially Unhealthy Effects In January 1974, Congress first enacted permanent daylight savings. However, Dr. Shelgikar explained that many Americans had to travel in the dark that winter. In October of that same year, the United States ended permanent daylight savings time.5 Since then, the country has switched back and forth between standard and daylight saving time, but the question of committing to one time setting over the other is back in the national spotlight. Eight kids were even hit by cars on their way to school, which prompted widespread opposition.4
A 2022 CBS poll found that, among those people who prefer daylight saving time, approximately half said that daylight saving put them in a better mood and made them feel more productive in the afternoon hours.7 There is also the idea that it helps save energy, or could encourage people to be more active, though research has found these differences to be minimal.789 These sentiments are also reflected in the language of the Senators who have supported it: Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey stated that the bill would “deliver more sun, more smiles, According to Sabra Abbott, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology in sleep medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, “6” permanent daylight saving time may actually make people feel worse during the winter months overall.
It just so happens that when we observe daylight saving time, the days get longer as well. So there is more light for everyone regardless of where it is,” Dr. Abbott told Health. The issue is that permanent daylight saving time is associated with higher rates of depression due to the lack of morning light during the winter.
She explained that the only real benefits that can be measured are probably financial.
“Individuals might go out and spend more cash assuming it’s actually light when they get off of work,” Dr. Abbott proceeded. ” We don’t actually believe that this is the most healthful way to arrange our schedules.”
Even though experts concurred that daylight saving time does not necessarily provide any health benefits for Americans, the current system also has some issues. Permanent Standard Time Aligns Our Bodies with the Sun
According to Rafael Pelayo, MD, a clinical professor in the division of sleep medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, “Biologically, the brain does not allow you to simply shift your sleep by one hour.” Daylight savings time disrupts sleep. Additionally, we are already a sleep-deprived nation.
The Monday after daylight saving starts typically sees more heart attacks than other days that week13. Instead of abandoning this system in favor of permanent daylight saving, healthcare professionals believe the opposite approach would be the best course of action—permanent standard time. In the days after daylight saving time begins, Americans may see more fatal car accidents, a higher risk of ischemic stroke risk, and hospital admission for atrial fibrillation, particularly among older women.101112
Dr. Shelgikar provided an explanation, “We have our internal clock, also known as our circadian rhythm.” Having that openness to light first thing — once more, which happens most consistently when our clocks are set to standard time — that is the most impressive controller of our inward clock.”
It is more challenging for people to fall asleep and rise each morning when their internal clocks are out of sync with the sun. The body’s circadian musicality is additionally engaged with absorption, circulatory strain control, hormonal guideline, and other substantial cycles, so conceivable being off from the sun could influence these regions also, Dr. Shelgikar said.
“Our bodies are kind of regulated by social cues—so when we actually set our clocks—but really we tend to follow the sunshine,” Dr. Abbott concurred.
With the reintroduction of the Sunshine Protection Act, the House is likely to see a little more debate before reaching a consensus on the future of time setting.
Permanent daylight saving would have varying degrees of disadvantages depending on where a person lives, in addition to additional lobbying efforts from health groups. Even though the fate of the bill is still unknown, daylight saving time begins on Sunday, and experts say it’s wise to prepare yourself for what could be a difficult night’s sleep. For instance, if a person in Boston, Massachusetts, woke up at 7:00 AM each morning, they would wake up before sunrise 148 days out of the year.14 Conversely, someone in Cincinnati, Ohio would wake up in darkness 231 days out of the year.
Dr. Shelgikar advised that preparations should begin immediately. On the days leading up to daylight saving time, try to ease into it by going to bed earlier and getting up 15 minutes earlier. However, Dr. Pelayo and Dr. Abbott are both of the opinion that going to bed earlier than usual is extremely taxing on our bodies; therefore, don’t be surprised if a plan to go to bed earlier does not come to fruition.
Dr. Pelayo said that the day after the change in time, people should expect to feel tired, grumpy, or unable to concentrate. It could be useful to give yourself as well as other people a touch of elegance after the sunshine saving time hop, he empowered, including being extra cautious on the streets and preparing yourself for less cordial, less useful colleagues or relatives.
However, if sleeping becomes difficult during daylight saving time, it is best to consult a sleep medicine specialist. Dr. Shelgikar said that adults should sleep for at least seven hours every night, no matter when the clocks are set.
