next sunday November 3at 2 a.m., many Americans will have to set their clocks back one hour to return to standard time, ending daylight saving time. This change, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), was implemented with the Uniform Time Act of 1966, with the intention of maximizing the use of sunlight and saving energy during the warmer months.
However, as the date approaches, the debate about its health effects intensifies. Recent research suggests that the consequences of changing schedules may be more harmful than previously thought, affecting people’s sleep, mood and productivity, negatively impacting their daily lives.
In 2024, Florida will also adjust to this change, which has a significant impact on the daily lives of its residents.
Anxiety and sleep disorders: a real impact of changing schedules
A recent study of Talker Researchwhich surveyed 2,000 Americans, revealed that 40% of participants experience distress or “scare” before the time change. This anxiety is not limited to adjustment day; It begins around October 23 and extends until November 16, considerably affecting the well-being of many people.
One of the main problems associated with daylight saving time is its impact on sleep cycles. 21% of respondents said that DST negatively affects their rest, while 37% indicated that they need more time to recover after the change.
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Circadian rhythms, which regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle, are very sensitive to sunlight. Charles Czeislerprofessor of Sleep Medicine at Harvard University, warned that this adjustment can disrupt these rhythms by reducing exposure to natural light in the morning and increasing artificial light in the afternoon. This alteration decreases the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep, creating difficulties in falling asleep and causing insomnia or daytime sleepiness.
Additionally, a lack of morning light can reduce serotonin levels, which affects mood. According to Czeisler, many feel more fatigued, irritable or even depressed during the weeks surrounding the time change.
Woman wakes up tired from the time change.
The study also notes that DST has a negative impact on productivity; 43% of the workers surveyed consider that the week after the adjustment is the least productive of the year. Many reported making mistakes at work, such as falling asleep at their desk or arriving late after forgetting to set their clocks.
The feeling of “sun blues” was also highlighted in the study, with 54% of respondents feeling a decrease in their motivation to engage in physical or social activities. Amy Sieman, Affiliate Manager at Avocado Green Mattress, commented: “Time change can be a real struggle.
Early darkness can make us feel more tired and prone to leading a sedentary life, preventing us from enjoying outdoor activities.”
Is it time to end the time change?
The debate about the continuity of the time change has gained relevance in recent years. 59% of those surveyed Talker Research expressed his desire to eliminate clock setting and opt for a fixed schedule throughout the year. Currently, 19 US states have passed or are considering laws that would allow daylight saving time to be observed permanently, provided Congress approves it. States like Florida, Ohio and Tennessee are among them.
The reasons for eliminating the time change are clear and are based on the following points:
- Health and well-being: Disturbances in the circadian rhythm can increase the risk of health problems, such as strokes and heart attacks, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
- Work productivity: Lack of sleep and mood disorders associated with DST affect productivity at work, resulting in errors and lack of concentration.
- Questionable financial benefits: There is no conclusive evidence to support the supposed economic benefits of the time change, which has led many to question its validity.
- Growing public support: The growing dissatisfaction of the population with the negative effects of the time change has driven support for its elimination.
With a panorama like this, the discussion about the future of the time change seems to be far from being resolved, but the well-being of the population could be the decisive factor in taking a new direction.