Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 13, when we change clocks to “spring ahead” one hour.
Daylight Saving Time has been the subject of both praise and criticism since it was first proposed in 1895. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the transition into and out of Daylight Saving Time increments the risk of sleep disruption, mood disorders, and suicide. Another study found that the transition to standard time increases the number of depressive episodes by 11%.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Daylight Saving Time may be a good thing in the long run.
Have you ever noticed feeling down on a rainy day? Do sunny days make you feel perky and full of energy? Natural light has a big impact on how we feel. On the whole, Daylight Saving Time might just give you a leg up when it comes to kicking those winter blues. A 2017 study published in Epidemiology reveals that incidents of depression increase by 11 percent when the clock shifts back in November, suggesting that springing forward may help reduce depressive episodes.
That is because seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is likely caused by a “biochemical change in the brain, triggered by shorter days and reduced sunlight in the winter,” according to Hisaho Blair at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
There’s no question that driving when it’s light out is easier. In 2004 a study in Accident Analysis & Prevention found that if daylight savings time were adopted year round, we could save 366 motorists’ and pedestrians’ lives simply because it was lighter outside.
Increased daylight doesn’t just make driving easier and safer —it also may improve our mood.
Those long sunny evenings we enjoy during Daylight Saving Time make it easier to find time to spend outdoors . Sunlight has a vital role in the production of vitamin D, which promotes healthy bones, reduces blood pressure, and generally keeps you healthier overall.
There are pros and cons to having daylight savings time. (https://www.procon.org/headlines/top-3-pros-and-cons-of-daylight-saving-time/)
This Sunday (March 13, AKA that horrible night we lose an hour of sleep), wake up tired and groggy, grab your favorite beverage to start the day and decide what you will do with that extra hour.
- Spend time with your significant other?
- Throw a ball with the kids?
- Snuggle on the coach with your favorite furry friend?
It doesn’t matter. It is your hour to spend how you want. Just enjoy it.
