Permanent Daylight Savings Time Bad for Health? Experts Say Yes
By 2023 after we spring forward, we're done tinkering with clocks. The US Senate voted almost unanimously to leave us permanently on daylight savings time (spring forward) beginning in 2023.
Sleep Experts say standard time syncs better with body functions
Do you know what circadian rhythms are? According to numerous definitions, including cancer.org:
"The natural cycle of physical, mental, and behavior changes that the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle."
Almost overwhelming numbers of Americans would like to keep daylight savings time (DST),- spring forward- due to increased daylight hours, as opposed to standard time, when it gets dark at 4:30 PM in the winter. Supporters say extra light means safer driving conditions, more sunshine (Vitamin D), and more enjoyment outdoors.
However, as published online by the Blaze website and others this week, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine published a statement about this plan online.
22 Doctors who are sleep experts posted in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine believe we should stay on standard time because it fits better with our circadian rhythms.
They believe, and studies apparently support this, switching clocks back and forth results in increased stress, and heart problems. The increased daylight from DST also results in less sleep, which is hard on the body.
Studies are not concrete or conclusive, say these Doctors, but there's plenty of evidence to show that DST does not work well with the normal human circadian cycle.
Click here to read the full report and see the data they present.
They advocated we stay on standard time because our bodies react better to the daylight conditions that way. What do you think? Should we stay on DST or standard time? Take our poll below.
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