Daylight saving time will conclude at 2 a.m. on November 3, allowing people to gain an extra hour of sleep as clocks are set back one hour. This transition will remain in effect for approximately four months until we revert back to standard time on March 9, 2025.
In the U.S., there have been legislative efforts to make daylight saving time a permanent measure. However, similar proposals in the House and Senate have faced delays and have not progressed through the necessary committees in recent years.
The time change brings both advantages and disadvantages. One significant benefit is the additional hour of sleep, which has been linked to improved mood, lower stress levels, and a decreased likelihood of heart disease. According to Dr. Leah Croll, a neurologist at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, adequate sleep supports both cardiovascular and neurological health. Insufficient sleep can lead to issues like headaches, cognitive impairments, and poor decision-making due to reduced executive function.
Conversely, the shift in clocks may contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), characterized by symptoms akin to depression that vary with the seasons. Fortunately, there are strategies to alleviate the effects of SAD. Experts like Dr. Christina Zhang from MiDoctor Health suggest using sunlight lamps and ensuring adequate vitamin D intake. It’s recommended to seek lamps labeled as daytime lamps or those providing approximately 10,000 lumens, using them for around 30 minutes each morning to maximize exposure.
As a point of clarification, the accurate term for this biannual event is daylight saving time, not “daylight savings time.”