The BRICS TimesMost US residents will gain an extra hour of rest this weekend. The nation shifts from daylight saving time back to standard time.
Most US residents will gain an extra hour of rest this weekend. The nation shifts from daylight saving time back to standard time. Shorter days mean less light for outdoor fun. This includes exercise or time spent outside after school or work. This change can impact both mood and sleep quality.
The biannual clock adjustment is facing more criticism now. Health groups like the American Medical Association support dropping it. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine also pushes for permanent standard time. They say switching time systems disrupts the body’s natural rhythm.
A Stanford University study backs this viewpoint. It found that keeping a consistent time year-round is healthier. Standard time specifically matches the sun’s natural cycle more closely.
Dr. Jamie Zeitzer co-directs Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences. He compares the body’s internal clock to an orchestra with a conductor. “When the clock is regularly disrupted, the instruments fall out of sync,” he explained. He noted that body systems like metabolism and immunity work less efficiently then.
When Does the Clock Go Back Tonight?
The change happens officially at 2 AM local time on Sunday. This marks the end of daylight saving time for now. Clocks will not “spring forward” again until March 8.
How the Time Change Affects Sleep
Even a one-hour shift can disrupt sleep patterns. This is true because work and school times stay the same. The spring change is usually more difficult for people. Darker mornings and brighter evenings make falling asleep on time harder. Research shows slight increases in heart attacks and car accidents after that shift.
The fall change can be tough for those with existing sleep issues. It also impacts people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression linked to less sunlight. About one in three US adults sleep less than seven hours nightly. More than half of teenagers also miss their recommended eight hours.
How to Adjust Smoothly
Experts suggest shifting your bedtime by 15 minutes nightly. Start this gradual change before the main time switch. After the change, seek early-morning sunlight. Even sitting by a bright window helps reset your body clock faster.
Will the US End Time Changes?
The Sunshine Protection Act would make daylight saving time permanent. Despite wide public support, it remains stalled in Congress. Until lawmakers take action, Americans must adjust their clocks twice each year.
