Every year, twice a year, millions of people around the world adjust their clocks by one hour for Daylight Saving Time (DST). In the spring, we "spring forward" and lose an hour of sleep, while in the fall, we "fall back" and gain an hour. The goal of DST is to make better use of daylight hours and save energy, but its implementation and effectiveness are a matter of debate. In this article, we'll explore the history, controversy, benefits, and drawbacks of Daylight Saving Time, as well as tips for coping with the time change.
History of Daylight Saving Time
https://www.highrevenuegate.com/y9z1km7x?key=1a291f3abccd5a9a41c82025495c2b56 https://www.highrevenuegate.com/y9z1km7x?key=1a291f3abccd5a9a41c82025495c2b56 The idea of Daylight Saving Time dates back to the 18th century, when Benjamin Franklin suggested that people could save candles by waking up earlier in the summer. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that DST was adopted on a wide scale. During World War I, many countries began using DST as a way to conserve coal and other resources for the war effort. The practice fell out of favor after the war ended, but was reintroduced during World War II for the same reasons.
In the United States, DST was first standardized in 1966 with the passage of the Uniform Time Act. This law established a system of DST that would begin on the last Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October. However, in the decades since then, there have been numerous changes to the dates and durations of DST. In 2005, for example, the Energy Policy Act extended DST by four weeks, so that it now begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Controversy Surrounding Daylight Saving Time
Despite its long history, DST remains a controversial topic. One of the main criticisms of DST is that it can disrupt people's sleep patterns and lead to fatigue and other health problems. Studies have shown that the switch to DST in the spring is associated with an increase in heart attacks, car accidents, and workplace injuries, as well as a decrease in productivity and an increase in workplace absenteeism.
Another criticism of DST is that it can be confusing and inconvenient for people, especially those who live in areas that don't observe DST. For example, in the United States, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe DST, which means that they are always on standard time. This can create confusion for travelers, businesses, and others who need to coordinate schedules across different time zones.
Finally, some critics argue that DST doesn't actually save energy, and may even increase energy usage in some cases. While DST is intended to reduce the need for artificial lighting, it can also increase the use of air conditioning and other appliances, especially in warmer months.
Benefits of Daylight Saving Time
Despite these criticisms, there are also many proponents of DST who argue that it offers significant benefits. One of the main benefits of DST is that it allows for more daylight in the evening, which can increase opportunities for outdoor activities and reduce the need for artificial lighting. This can lead to energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.
Another benefit of DST is that it can boost the economy, particularly in the retail and tourism industries. Longer daylight hours can encourage people to spend more time outside and engage in leisure activities, which can generate revenue for businesses.
How to prepare for daylight saving time-
Believe it or not, daylight saving time doesn't have to wreak havoc on your sleep routine. Luckily, you can face the time change head-on by making a few changes in your daily routine. The best part? These expert-approved tips work equally well for kids and adults alike.
- Reconsider your bedtime: "Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier, starting two to three days before the time change. This will help make sure you are well-rested before the clock change so any resulting 'sleep debt' will feel less extreme," Candice A. Alfano, Ph.D., director of the University of Houston's Sleep and Anxiety Center of Houston, said.
- Shift your wakeup call: "A few days before daylight saving time, set your wakeup time to 30 minutes ahead. This will narrow the difference and make it easier for you to adjust to the time change," Dr. Ana Krieger, medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, said.
- Readjust your routine: "Take advantage of your earlier start for the day, and shift your activities to an earlier schedule, including dinner, exercise and bedtime," Krieger suggested.
- Trick your brain: "The brain looks for visual cues to know what time it is. Another thing you can do is change the time on a wristwatch 15 minutes ahead each day before daylight saving time to provide that visual cue,".
How to deal with sleep deprivation from daylight saving time-
So daylight saving time has come and gone and you're feeling a bit groggy, huh? You don't just have to grin and bear that fatigued feeling. Here are a few ways to help mitigate the effects of the time change:
- Avoid naps: "If you feel sleepy the day after the change, try to resist taking a nap because this will reduce the amount of sleep pressure present at bedtime and can create longer term sleep problems. If you must nap, keep it to 15 to 20 minutes, ideally in the late morning," Alfano said.
- Seek out sunshine: "Make sure you get plenty of sunlight on the morning after the change. Light has potent effects on our internal body clock and will help you feel less tired," Alfano revealed.
- Watch your diet: "Avoid foods and beverages that will keep you up, such as caffeinated beverages, chocolates or alcohol at least three hours prior to bed," Ash said.
- Set your kids up for success: "If you have kids at home, make sure they don’t leave any work to be completed in the morning before school starts as their brains will be in a fog — or fully asleep — in the early morning," Krieger suggested.
- Avoid exercising too late: "Moderate-to-high intensity exercise should be performed earlier in the day, as late-night exercise can inhibit a good night’s sleep. During exercise, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, and when this occurs close to bedtime, it may also affect subsequent sleep propensity," Mark Aloia, Ph.D., global lead for behavior change at Philips Healthcare, told TODAY.
- Reduce screen time: "Light from a device can affect one’s circadian phase. If it’s nearing bedtime, our phase is shifting toward sleep and exposing ourselves to too much light at this time can result in trouble falling sleep. Screen time is also harmful for adequate sleep if the content we’re viewing is activating and anxiety provoking, which can interfere with emotions and interrupt sleep,"
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