In the United States, clocks are moved forward and back twice a year: in the spring for daylight saving time and in the fall for standard time.
In the spring, usually on the second Sunday of March, clocks are moved forward by one hour. The purpose of this change is to extend daylight into the evening and save energy. In the fall, usually on the first Sunday of November, clocks are turned back, restoring standard time.
However, a new study published in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” has confirmed that remaining on standard time year-round is the most beneficial for health.
The nationwide study confirms that changing the clocks twice a year is harmful to health and leads to cardiovascular diseases and fatal car accidents. According to the data presented by the scientists, staying on standard time could prevent 300,000 strokes and 2.6 million cases of obesity.
The daylight saving time policy disrupts the balance, causing a desynchronization of the circadian rhythm. Such disruption is linked to health problems such as:
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Depression
In addition, the switch to daylight saving time causes sleep deprivation, which reduces concentration, slows reaction time, and increases the likelihood of driver error, leading to a statistical increase in fatal car accidents.
Permanently staying on daylight saving time is less beneficial for health. According to the study, a switch to standard time is more optimal because morning light accelerates a person’s circadian rhythm, while evening light slows it down. Without synchronizing the 24-hour circadian cycle, negative health consequences can arise.
Jamie Zeitzer, the study’s author and a professor at Stanford University, believes that other fields should follow suit and begin conducting similar evidence-based research. The scientist also explains that time policy only determines the hours of sunrise and sunset. Moving the clock hands cannot increase the duration of light during the dark winter months, as this depends on the Earth’s position and the sun’s movement.
