Dealing with Daylight Saving Time

While I applaud the idea of not upsetting our circadian biology twice a year with unhealthy, troublesome one-hour clock adjustments, the healthier switch would be a permanent Standard Time. Here are some reasons why this move would make sense:

• Late summer sunshine is nice, but a permanent switch would feature long periods of darkness during the winter months, especially in the early morning when we’re leaving for work and school.
• Standard Time would provide us with morning sunshine and vitamin D to naturally reset our body clock each day.
• Morning sunshine exposure is crucial for overall mental and physician health.
• People sleep less during Daylight Saving Time and sleep deprivation can lead to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, substance abuse and depression.

In addition to the benefits listed above, permanent standard time has been supported by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), American College of Chest Physicians, National Safety Council, National Sleep Foundation, National PTA, and several other prominent health and safety advocates.

As the AASM states, “current evidence best supports the adoption of year-round standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology and provides distinct benefits for public health and safety.”

Morning sunshine is key to a healthy life. But it’s all about timing.

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