Canadian Analysis: Permanent Daylight Saving Harms Sleep and Mental Health
"With the push to eliminate the twice yearly clock change, Permanent Daylight Savings Time has emerged as the favorite for most states and provinces," writes longtime Slashdot reader kbahey, sharing the findings from a recent analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Sci.News reports: "Ending the clock change solves one problem, but it creates another decision: which time…
A recent analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal argues that adopting permanent Daylight Saving Time could negatively impact sleep and mental health. The study's lead author, Professor Raymond Lam from the University of British Columbia, suggests standard time is preferable because morning light is crucial for our body clocks, sleep, and mood.
The researchers examined health outcomes of permanent standard time versus permanent daylight saving time, concluding that standard time aligns more closely with human circadian biology. This distinction is especially significant during winter. Under permanent daylight saving, winter sunrise would occur one hour later in cities like Toronto (8:51 a.m.) and Calgary (9:40 a.m.), compared to 7:51 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. under permanent standard time.
This extra hour of morning darkness could leave people traveling to work or school before sunrise, shifting daylight to later in the day. The analysis also raises concerns about seasonal depression, as permanent daylight saving would delay natural morning light, weakening a vital circadian signal.
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