Sleep Experts Advocate for Year-Round Standard Time to Safeguard Public Health
As the nation ushers in a new presidential administration, a significant push is underway to banish the practice of changing clocks twice a year. A notable voice in this movement is President Donald Trump, who has openly endorsed an end to daylight saving time (DST). This shift can potentially influence policy decisions and mobilize support for a longstanding debate over how time adjustments impact public well-being.
Driven by the findings of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a coalition advocating for the shift to permanent standard time is gaining attention. This coalition, which includes various influential organizations, emphasizes restoring the health-related and safety benefits tied to standard time. Their main argument revolves around aligning timekeeping with our body's natural circadian rhythms.
Recent surveys reflect a significant sentiment among the American public: half of those surveyed support legislation to abolish seasonal time changes, and only a quarter oppose it. This reflects growing awareness of the detrimental effects caused by the forced adjustment of our clocks every spring and fall. Jay Pea, a leader in the coalition, succinctly stated the problem, stressing how the switch to DST disrupts natural sleep patterns and can lead to health hazards like accidents and workplace errors.
The heart of the issue lies in understanding our body's intrinsic desire for stability. Under standard time, individuals can benefit from a more consistent sleep schedule, enabling better alertness and productivity. Mornings illuminated by sunlight can enhance waking and readiness, while summer evenings darken gradually, easing the transition to rest. The AASM highlights that when DST is implemented, later evening light can skew bedtime, resulting in poor sleep quality and increased risks of various health incidents.
As the nation prepares for the upcoming switch to DST on March 9, the AASM suggests the following steps to ease the transition:
1. Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get at least seven hours of sleep per night in the days leading up to and following the time change to mitigate disruptions.
2. Gradual Adjustment: Shift your bedtime and rise time by 15-20 minutes earlier for a few nights before the change. This gradual adjustment can help your body acclimate without excessive fatigue.
3. Rethink Routine: Alter the timing of daily activities like meals and exercise to match your adjusted sleep schedule, providing additional cues for your body's internal clock.
4. Set Clocks Ahead: Adjust your offline clocks by one hour on the night before the change to reduce confusion and ensure a smooth transition. Online clocks will auto-adjust at 2 a.m. on that Sunday.
5. Seek Natural Light: After the clock change, spend time outdoors, especially during the morning, to help your body realign and regulate your sleep cycles effectively.
The Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, founded in 2023, remains committed to advocating for the elimination of these outdated biannual clock changes. They emphasize that adopting permanent standard time is essential not only for alignment with our internal clocks but also for promoting overall health and safety.
Since its inception, the Coalition has collaborated with various entities, including the National Sleep Foundation and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, to highlight the need for this progression. Their collective knowledge can drive informed policymaking, ultimately prioritizing the health of the nation.
In pursuit of enduring sleep health, individuals and policymakers must acknowledge the compelling arguments presented by sleep experts. Subsequently, addressing the complications linked to time changes is imperative to ensure a healthier future for all. For further insights on sleep health and time management, individuals are encouraged to visit SleepEducation.org and utilize the available resources to address sleep-related concerns.
In the end, the call for permanent standard time serves not only as a plea from sleep specialists but as a necessary evolution in our approach to time and its role in our daily health practices and lifestyle choices.
Driven by the findings of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a coalition advocating for the shift to permanent standard time is gaining attention. This coalition, which includes various influential organizations, emphasizes restoring the health-related and safety benefits tied to standard time. Their main argument revolves around aligning timekeeping with our body's natural circadian rhythms.
Recent surveys reflect a significant sentiment among the American public: half of those surveyed support legislation to abolish seasonal time changes, and only a quarter oppose it. This reflects growing awareness of the detrimental effects caused by the forced adjustment of our clocks every spring and fall. Jay Pea, a leader in the coalition, succinctly stated the problem, stressing how the switch to DST disrupts natural sleep patterns and can lead to health hazards like accidents and workplace errors.
The heart of the issue lies in understanding our body's intrinsic desire for stability. Under standard time, individuals can benefit from a more consistent sleep schedule, enabling better alertness and productivity. Mornings illuminated by sunlight can enhance waking and readiness, while summer evenings darken gradually, easing the transition to rest. The AASM highlights that when DST is implemented, later evening light can skew bedtime, resulting in poor sleep quality and increased risks of various health incidents.
As the nation prepares for the upcoming switch to DST on March 9, the AASM suggests the following steps to ease the transition:
1. Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get at least seven hours of sleep per night in the days leading up to and following the time change to mitigate disruptions.
2. Gradual Adjustment: Shift your bedtime and rise time by 15-20 minutes earlier for a few nights before the change. This gradual adjustment can help your body acclimate without excessive fatigue.
3. Rethink Routine: Alter the timing of daily activities like meals and exercise to match your adjusted sleep schedule, providing additional cues for your body's internal clock.
4. Set Clocks Ahead: Adjust your offline clocks by one hour on the night before the change to reduce confusion and ensure a smooth transition. Online clocks will auto-adjust at 2 a.m. on that Sunday.
5. Seek Natural Light: After the clock change, spend time outdoors, especially during the morning, to help your body realign and regulate your sleep cycles effectively.
The Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, founded in 2023, remains committed to advocating for the elimination of these outdated biannual clock changes. They emphasize that adopting permanent standard time is essential not only for alignment with our internal clocks but also for promoting overall health and safety.
Since its inception, the Coalition has collaborated with various entities, including the National Sleep Foundation and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, to highlight the need for this progression. Their collective knowledge can drive informed policymaking, ultimately prioritizing the health of the nation.
In pursuit of enduring sleep health, individuals and policymakers must acknowledge the compelling arguments presented by sleep experts. Subsequently, addressing the complications linked to time changes is imperative to ensure a healthier future for all. For further insights on sleep health and time management, individuals are encouraged to visit SleepEducation.org and utilize the available resources to address sleep-related concerns.
In the end, the call for permanent standard time serves not only as a plea from sleep specialists but as a necessary evolution in our approach to time and its role in our daily health practices and lifestyle choices.
Topics Health）
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