The Impending Shift to Standard Time and Its Consequences, As Explained by a Sleep Specialist

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This upcoming Sunday could offer a smoother start to your morning activities like brunch or sporting events, with the gift of an additional hour of sleep courtesy of the end of daylight saving time.

However, the adjustment also brings a significant shift in daylight hours—by the following week, the majority of people in the U.S. will experience nightfall before the workday concludes, necessitating evening activities to occur in the absence of daylight. On November 5th, the transition from daylight saving to standard time takes effect, continuing until March 10th.

There is no requirement to delay preparations for the time shift taking place early Sunday when the time at 2 a.m. will revert to 1 a.m. It’s advisable to manually reset clocks such as those in your microwave, vehicle, and other non-automated devices before retiring on Saturday night.

Health professionals highlight that the semi-annual time adjustment can significantly disrupt sleep patterns and have broader health implications.

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In the U.S., a widespread issue of insufficient sleep is exacerbated by the alteration in time, which further unsettles sleep routines, notes Dr. Phyllis Zee of Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. However, she mentions that gaining an hour in autumn typically poses less difficulty to the body than the hour lost in spring.

Sleep shortage can heighten stress-related hormone levels that increase heart rate and blood pressure, and elevate inflammatory responses, according to studies.

Dr. Zee emphasizes, “Even a single hour’s difference can significantly impact the duration and quality of sleep.” Sleep disturbances can impair multitasking, vigilance, and even balance, raising the likelihood of accidents.

Molly Hart, a representative for AAA’s Auto Club Group, has cautioned about a potential increase in road accidents subsequent to the time change due to earlier nightfall and possible fatigue among drivers.

Regions such as Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the majority of Arizona do not participate in daylight saving time.

Legislative efforts have been made to cease the alternating between time standards and to adopt daylight saving time permanently.

The Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan bill, was passed by the U.S. Senate in March 2022 but did not advance in the House. Senator Marco Rubio reintroduced the bill in March of the current year, where it currently sits in committee.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Daylight Saving Time Impact

More about Daylight Saving Time Impact

• Daylight Saving Time and its effects
• Health implications of sleep disruption
• AAA’s stance on daylight saving
• The Sunshine Protection Act legislative progress
• About Report for America program