I've often complained that whoever the powers that be are should just pick a time and leave it alone. For heaven’s sake, have a little humanity, I think.
You do raise an interesting question though: which of the two times is actually better for us? Once again life proves it isn’t always so simple. So thank you for helping make some of these choices a little easier by helping us understand the science behind our health and wellbeing.
I hear you Heather. DST finishes for us in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait. We also have the problem that we live close to the border in a state with DST and over the border doesn’t do DST at all and that’s where the airport is. It’s very confusing!
This is a barbaric practice that needs to end, and as you mentioned: in the right direction. I loathe the change. When it was time to change the last round I kept my body clock eating on the same hours - I kept the big clock in the entryway of my house on that same time - so when the time change occurred this season it didn't affect me so much because I never changed my eating pattern, and sleep times were close - I have issues with these anyway. Between battling early recover and the recent death of my husband the last thing needed was to stress over time change. My body is thinking me for thinking ahead.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You have a lot going on. And you’re right - you don’t need more stress. And smart to keep your eating schedule on the same time. The night before DST I tried to go to sleep at 7:30 knowing I had to get up at 3:00. Just ridiculous. It needs to stop.
I agree that the real problem is the twice-yearly clock switch. It’s surprising to think that just 60 minutes can affect so many parts of daily life. As a 20-year-old student-athlete, it feels even more relevant. Athletes may be especially impacted because performance, reaction time, and recovery are closely tied to sleep quality. My lift and nutrition coach, athletic trainer, and head coach constantly emphasize that sleep is a top priority. Even small shifts in sleep patterns can affect focus and coordination, increasing the risk of mistakes or injury during training or competition.
I agree Lani. Sleep is such a crucial part of recovery especially for those who are using their bodies in such extreme ways. An hour is a huge shift and it changes so much with how people feel and the energy they have to perform at such a high level. I wish we would just stay at one time. I love when the sunsets at a later time but that is just me.
With Addison's disease, any time change - Spring or Fall - is quite destructive on my energy levels. Without adrenal glands, I am very sensitive to the circadian rhythm, which I have to try and mimic artificially with medication. I have come to know that after a time change, I need about two weeks to recover. I sympathize with you teenager :)
So sorry for your health challenges. I believe it takes the average person about a week to “recovery” from the time change. And you have added challenges. Be strong!
I agree that the time should not change and should remain the same throughout the year. The amount I get done in my day is a full reflection on how much sleep I get and how good I feel the following morning. When we lost that hour I noticed such a shift and I am still having a hard time adjusting with just the 1 hour time change. It is already a struggle getting up at 7am to get the day started, when it felt like 6am I really just felt like a bus ran me over.
New England gets dark at 4pm in the winter because we're so far east in the time zone. Massachusetts proposed in 2017 to switch to Atlantic year round but they didn't do it because of commerce with neighboring states. It would be great if all New England states would follow suit.
I've often complained that whoever the powers that be are should just pick a time and leave it alone. For heaven’s sake, have a little humanity, I think.
You do raise an interesting question though: which of the two times is actually better for us? Once again life proves it isn’t always so simple. So thank you for helping make some of these choices a little easier by helping us understand the science behind our health and wellbeing.
You’re so right. We need to pick one - but which one?
I hear you Heather. DST finishes for us in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait. We also have the problem that we live close to the border in a state with DST and over the border doesn’t do DST at all and that’s where the airport is. It’s very confusing!
Goodness - that would be challenging. I really wish we could standardize it across all the states!
This is a barbaric practice that needs to end, and as you mentioned: in the right direction. I loathe the change. When it was time to change the last round I kept my body clock eating on the same hours - I kept the big clock in the entryway of my house on that same time - so when the time change occurred this season it didn't affect me so much because I never changed my eating pattern, and sleep times were close - I have issues with these anyway. Between battling early recover and the recent death of my husband the last thing needed was to stress over time change. My body is thinking me for thinking ahead.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You have a lot going on. And you’re right - you don’t need more stress. And smart to keep your eating schedule on the same time. The night before DST I tried to go to sleep at 7:30 knowing I had to get up at 3:00. Just ridiculous. It needs to stop.
I agree that the real problem is the twice-yearly clock switch. It’s surprising to think that just 60 minutes can affect so many parts of daily life. As a 20-year-old student-athlete, it feels even more relevant. Athletes may be especially impacted because performance, reaction time, and recovery are closely tied to sleep quality. My lift and nutrition coach, athletic trainer, and head coach constantly emphasize that sleep is a top priority. Even small shifts in sleep patterns can affect focus and coordination, increasing the risk of mistakes or injury during training or competition.
I agree Lani. Sleep is such a crucial part of recovery especially for those who are using their bodies in such extreme ways. An hour is a huge shift and it changes so much with how people feel and the energy they have to perform at such a high level. I wish we would just stay at one time. I love when the sunsets at a later time but that is just me.
With Addison's disease, any time change - Spring or Fall - is quite destructive on my energy levels. Without adrenal glands, I am very sensitive to the circadian rhythm, which I have to try and mimic artificially with medication. I have come to know that after a time change, I need about two weeks to recover. I sympathize with you teenager :)
So sorry for your health challenges. I believe it takes the average person about a week to “recovery” from the time change. And you have added challenges. Be strong!
I agree that the time should not change and should remain the same throughout the year. The amount I get done in my day is a full reflection on how much sleep I get and how good I feel the following morning. When we lost that hour I noticed such a shift and I am still having a hard time adjusting with just the 1 hour time change. It is already a struggle getting up at 7am to get the day started, when it felt like 6am I really just felt like a bus ran me over.
I wish we would stop switching. And now I know why. Thanks for the great stats.
New England gets dark at 4pm in the winter because we're so far east in the time zone. Massachusetts proposed in 2017 to switch to Atlantic year round but they didn't do it because of commerce with neighboring states. It would be great if all New England states would follow suit.