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Katie Saunders is from Hampden. She has over 10 years of experience as a family nurse practitioner in family medicine.
It’s that time of year again where we all ask ourselves “Why do we keep changing the clocks back and forth?” I’ve heard more than one person say, “I thought Congress fixed that,” or “I thought we weren’t doing that anymore.” Many more people oppose changing the clocks twice a year than those that support continuing it (47% versus 12%).
In case you don’t follow federal legislation (or perhaps you’ve been too busy with other, more pressing issues like the war in Iran, the ever-rising cost to fill up your tank, your grocery cart, and cover your health care expenses, and the mid-term elections), I’ll remind you of where things stand on an issue that is so important, but often not at the top of mind — our sleep.
There are two opposing bills working their way through Congress, both of which would stop the biannual clock change, but with opposite effects. I’d like to argue that the differences are not just a matter of personal preference for more morning or evening sunlight, but an important matter impacting our physical and mental health, safety, performance, mood, and more. When we look at the science, research, and our own history, I believe it becomes clear which option is the best, common-sense choice.
The Sunshine Protection Act, which has passed the U.S. House and has been referred to a Senate committee, would move to a permanent daylight saving time (DST) model, making it darker in the morning, and lighter in the evening. The Sunshine for Our Kids Act has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and would make standard time, the time based on natural sunlight, permanent.
As a health care clinician and someone that frequently helps patients with their sleep, allow me to explain the stark difference between the two, and why scores of organizations that care about our health support permanent standard time.
Humans’ sleep and wakefulness cycle is linked to a circadian rhythm (biological clock), which is ruled by the sun. Permanent DST would delay sunrise in most states past 8 a.m. for more than three months, and close to 9 a.m. for a week.
Our bodies need exposure to morning sunlight. In fact, not only does delayed morning light affect our sleep but it affects many other health variables including metabolic disorders, depression, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even an increased risk of cancers. Setting a permanent standard time has been shown to decrease traffic deaths, lower crime, reduce chronic illnesses and improve performance at school, sports and work.
Science and history both show that permanent DST is even worse than switching the clocks twice a year.
These are all reasons why permanent DST lasted less than one year back in the 1970s. It was quickly repealed due to safety concerns (including deaths), public outcry, and significant decline in support after its first winter (79% to 49%).
As Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright pointed out in an Atlantic article in 2022, daylight saving time is a trap and a lie — what most people actually like is summer, when the days are naturally longer. Changing the clocks cannot add hours of sunlight to the day, all it does is wreak havoc on our biological, natural clocks.
Industry support for permanent daylight saving time is mainly from golf groups and those who would benefit from people shopping after work, which is actually quite American — putting consumerism and money making over health. What also seems to be American these days is the individualist sentiment that if I prefer evening light, then it’s the best way.
I believe if we took a step back and considered the most vulnerable in our society (children, teenagers, shift workers) and how they would be impacted, we could accept that early morning light is best for everyone’s health. I personally try to embrace the natural rhythm of the seasons — winter is a time to rest, reflect, and reset, while the longer days of summer are a time to be more active and busy.
I urge you to call your elected officials and encourage them to support legislation that makes standard time permanent.
Here’s to your healthy sleep!