Experts Challenge Daylight Saving Time’s Impact on Health and Well-Being

NEW YORK, N.Y. — As the United States prepares to move the clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time on March 9, experts are raising concerns about its detrimental effects on health and well-being.

At 2 a.m. on that Sunday, millions of Americans will lose an hour of sleep, a transition that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has called “an outdated and potentially harmful practice.” Numerous studies have linked the clock shift to an increase in heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents, posing significant health risks.

“The human biological clock is regulated by the timing of light and darkness, impacting our sleep and wake rhythms,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin, a former president of AASM. “When the solar clock is misaligned with the social clock, it leads to desynchronization, which can affect both physical and mental health.”

Public opinion appears to support this shift away from the twice-a-year time change. A recent poll found that 63% of Americans favor eliminating Daylight Saving Time altogether, though the preferred alternative remains contentious — standard time or year-round Daylight Saving Time.

The AASM emphasized in their 2023 statement the importance of aligning social clocks with natural light patterns, noting, “When we’re on Standard Time, the daylight hours are more closely aligned with our circadian rhythms, promoting better health outcomes.”

Additionally, some research presented in the journal PLOS Computational Biology indicates that transitioning into Daylight Saving Time can amplify mood disorders and anxiety, especially among adolescents and teenagers, who are already vulnerable to sleep disruption.

“Adolescents may face attention and learning deficits, while also demonstrating sleepiness and slower reaction times at school,” said study author Dr. Kristian E. Kuo.

The origins of Daylight Saving Time date back to Benjamin Franklin, who suggested a coordinated effort to save candle usage in a satirical essay. However, the modern implementation began during World War I in 1918 when President Woodrow Wilson sought energy conservation for wartime efforts.

Fast-forward a century, the utility of this time shift is questioned. The National Bureau of Economic Research acknowledged that while energy consumption for lighting may decline, the benefits are often offset by increased demand for heating and cooling.

Dr. Martin added that the infamous 2 a.m. transition time may also no longer serve its original purpose. “It was designed when train schedules were less hectic, but now, with modern transportation, the significance has faded,” she said.

Despite advancements in technology, which automatically adjust some clocks, many mechanical devices still require manual changes, compounding the disruption of the time shift for people.

“It’s time for Daylight Saving Time to retire,” Dr. Martin concluded, as the conversation surrounding its relevance continues to gain momentum amidst growing public discontent.