Daylight Saving Time makes us jet-lagged every day, says York Professor

The shift from Daylight Saving Time not only signals the end of daylight saving for the year but also highlights ongoing concerns about its impact on public health. A vast body of research shows various health risks associated with the springtime switch to Daylight Saving Time.

Professor Patricia Lakin-Thomas from York University says the time is long overdue to make the pause from Daylight Saving Time permanent. As an expert who studies the molecular and biochemical basis for circadian rhythmicity, she brings significant insight into how time changes affect the human body's internal clocks. "When we spring forward, we lose an hour of sleep and we're also moving our social clock away from the sun, which our body wants to follow. So it's like we're making ourselves an hour jet-lagged every day. Your body doesn't immediately adapt to that and can actually lead to some negative health impacts," she states, according to Benzinga.

The negative health impacts are not trivial. Professor Lakin-Thomas says Daylight Saving Time is shown to contribute to higher numbers of car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and workplace injuries. These incidents are linked to the disruption of the body's natural circadian rhythms caused by the abrupt time change. The loss of sleep and misalignment with the natural light-dark cycle can have immediate and serious consequences for individuals and society.

"People think it's just an hour, but that hour is crucial," explains Professor Lakin-Thomas. "Our bodies are finely tuned to the timing of sunrise and sunset. When we interfere with that by changing the clocks, there's a ripple effect on our health." She emphasizes that while the fall back provides some relief, the ongoing practice of adjusting clocks twice a year continues to pose risks.

Professor Lakin-Thomas sits on the board of the Canadian Society for Chronobiology, which represents scientists across Canada who work on circadian rhythms. The society calls for Daylight Saving Time to be permanently eliminated. As part of their advocacy, they highlight research demonstrating the benefits of maintaining a consistent standard time that aligns closely with solar time.

"Ideally, we would all follow the sun, scrap our clocks, and do what they did in the Middle Ages, before we had regulated clocks, do what farmers do, and get up with the sun. People in cultures that don't have electricity don't bother with clocks. That would be ideal. We can't do that, but we can get rid of Daylight Saving," Professor Lakin-Thomas remarks, according to Benzinga.

The professor is available to comment on topics including social clocks versus body clocks, why springing forward is much harder than falling back, the importance of the first light of dawn for keeping internal clocks in sync, and the chronic and acute effects of having internal clocks misaligned. Her expertise sheds light on why the practice of shifting clocks is more than just a minor inconvenience.

York University, where Professor Lakin-Thomas conducts her research, is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners, the university brings a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare its students for success. York University's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. Additionally, the university's campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs.

The continuation of Daylight Saving Time has been a topic of debate for years, with increasing attention to its potential health risks. The higher incidence of accidents and medical events following the time change underscores the need for a reevaluation of this practice. Experts like Professor Lakin-Thomas advocate for policies that prioritize public health and align social time with the natural environment.

As the date to fall back approaches, discussions around the impact of Daylight Saving Time gain renewed urgency. The Canadian Society for Chronobiology's call to eliminate the practice reflects a growing scientific consensus on the issue. By maintaining a consistent standard time, it may be possible to reduce the negative health outcomes associated with clock changes.

"Adjusting our clocks twice a year imposes an unnecessary strain on our bodies and society," says Professor Lakin-Thomas. "We have the evidence to support making a change. It's time to prioritize health and well-being over outdated practices."

The push to end Daylight Saving Time is part of a broader movement to align human activities more closely with natural rhythms. The potential benefits include not only improved health outcomes but also greater overall harmony between social structures and the environment. As awareness of the issue grows, so does the possibility of legislative action to make standard time permanent.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq