Sleep Researchers Suggest Abolishing Daylight Saving Time Due to Negative Impact on Human Body
A statement published in the Journal of Sleep Research suggests that the change in March, which sees clocks jump forward an hour, can interfere negatively with sleep regulation. According to Professor Malcolm von Schantz, getting rid of the time change and keeping the UK at British standard time would add benefits.
Research has found that people would see an improvement in sleep and circadian rhythms, which are defined as the physical, mental and behavioral changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour period.
The push to end daylight saving time and change to a permanent time all year round is not new. It’s been seen in multiple countries, including Canada, with the province of Quebec just announcing it would begin consultations on whether to end the time change.
Why Did Daylight Saving Time Begin?
Michael Antle, a psychology professor at the University of Calgary, explained that the change of time was created in part to get more time in the evenings. "The idea was one, to give us a little bit more leisure time in the evenings when we have really long days in the summers," he said. However, it was also used to save energy during wartime by shifting work schedules to avoid turning on incandescent lights until workers were almost done their shifts.
Benefits of Abolishing Daylight Saving Time
Roger Godbout, a clinical psychologist with the Sleep Laboratory at Riviere-des-Prairies Mental Health Hospital in Montreal, said making the period when the clocks fall back permanent would be more beneficial for health and sleep. "It’s the morning light that is the most important for our equilibrium, mentally and physically," he said.
Studies have shown negative impacts from the yearly switch, including cardiovascular issues. A 2019 report published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine analyzed seven studies that included more than 100,000 participants, finding an increased risk of heart attack in the weeks following the spring and fall DST transitions.
Conclusion
Abolishing daylight saving time and keeping the UK at British standard time could have a significant positive impact on sleep and circadian rhythms. The scientific evidence suggests that the negative impacts of the yearly switch outweigh any benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is daylight saving time still observed in many countries?
- Daylight saving time was originally implemented to conserve energy during wartime and has since become a widespread practice.
- What are the negative effects of daylight saving time?
- Research has found that the switch can lead to negative impacts on sleep, cardiovascular health, and mental health.
- Can countries individually abolish daylight saving time?
- Yes, countries can make their own decisions about whether to observe daylight saving time or not. The UK is considering abolishing the practice, while some Canadian provinces are consulting on the issue.
Sources
- Global News
- Journal of Sleep Research
- Sleep Medicine
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Canadian Sleep Research Consortium