Rey, I’m sorry I missed this one.
As we prepare to (already did) spring forward on Sunday, some might dread the looming loss of an hour of sleep. Recent polls show that over half of U.S. adults now oppose daylight saving time. While losing an hour of sleep might not sound like a major change, some “medical experts” say it has a big impact on our health, in large part because most Americans are already not getting enough sleep. Ok. Perhaps. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) endorses eliminating DST and staying on Standard Time year-round, citing the increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, atrial fibrillation, emergency room visits, and traffic accidents when the clocks spring forward. Hmmmm. Who’d thunk? What if the time change occurred on a Friday? Most folks have the weekend off to adjust, I’m guessing.
These “experts” say that the timing of exposure to light is generally linked to the social clock. When the solar clock is misaligned with the social clock, desynchronization occurs between the internal circadian rhythm and the social clock. Ok then. The “experts” also agree that DST belongs on the cultural scrap heap and another recent poll shows 63% of Americans say we should get rid of it.
It’s never bothered me much, really, and I don’t recall a permanent year-round time in my lifetime, so I’m cool with seeing a change and see what happens. So, get ready to turn your clocks forward this Sunday; it’s time to start planning your sleep schedule.
What say you?
