Will Daylight Savings Time keep you up at night? What GA needs to know to sleep tight
Even though we are pining for the longer days of summertime, the reentry to Daylight Savings Time (DST) can be a brutal transition, and since Georgia has voted to keep it permanently, we best get used to it.
We may only move the clocks ahead by one hour, but it can feel like a lot more when a good night’s sleep is on the line.
Losing that hour of sleep on Sunday, March 9, will be worth it when we’re still enjoying daylight at 9 p.m., but the effects of the change take some adjustment every year.
How does science explain the effects of DST on the human body?
While the concept itself is not rooted in science, the effects of DST on human biology and behavior are scientifically significant.
It has to do with a few factors:
The Earth’s tilt and seasonal changes
An individual’s physiological and psychological makeup
Disruptions of the body’s circadian rhythms
What is a circadian rhythm?
A circadian rhythm is just your body’s internal clock. It controls your sleep-wake cycle over a 24-hour period. It’s influenced by light and dark, as well as other factors like food, stress and exercise.
Most importantly, it regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and other biological processes and a disruption to any of these things can prove catastrophic to your body’s sleep hygiene.
It is primarily controlled by light exposure, so DST causes a misalignment between our internal clock and the external environment.
Who is the most susceptible to the effects of DST?
Researchers emphasize that the springtime change is particularly disruptive, with potential long-term health consequences if sleep patterns remain chronically misaligned.
While everyone feels the effects in some way, several groups of people have it the worst.
Adolescents and high school students
Early risers and late sleepers
Individuals with pre-existing conditions like depression or anxiety
Medical residents
What are the effects on sleep?
When we move the clocks forward during the spring transition, we lose an average of 40 minutes of sleep per day, and this accumulates over several days.
As many of us know all too well, lack of sleep can affect every aspect of our lives.
Physical ailments:
A weakened immune system which can lead to higher susceptibility to infections
An increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity
Higher blood pressure
Hormonal imbalances affecting hunger and appetite control
Cognitive impairments:
Reduced alertness and slower reaction times
Impaired memory and learning abilities
Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
Decreased cognitive function and logical reasoning skills
A few surprising facts about DST
Here are a few tidbits you can trot out at trivia to impress with your knowledge of DST.
Americans experience an average of 200 minutes of lost sleep int the days following the daylight savings shifts. This could mean you’re out almost 7 hours of sleep a year.
The U.S. experiences a 24% increase in heart attacks on the Monday following the DST time change
27% of Americans report being late or early for appointments following the shift
70 countries observe DST and it affects over one billion people
Contrary to popular belief, it was not implemented to help farmers. They actually lobbied against it.
The spring transition is generally harder to adapt to, and it can take up to five days for the body to synchronize with the new schedule.
You can mitigate the effects by adjusting your sleep schedule, but more importantly, by getting more exposure to morning sunlight. You officially have permission to enjoy your coffee outside this spring.
DST starts on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2 a.m., when clocks will be turned forward by one hour.
Want to share any tips or tricks for dealing with Daylight Saving Time or have a fun story to share? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Will Daylight Savings Time keep you up at night? What GA needs to know to sleep tight."
