There are over 50 countries that follow Daylight Saving Time. That number includes the whole nation or a portion of the country. Among the countries, China, India, and Japan are some of the industrialized countries that do not observe DST. When it comes to the United States and Canada, some states and provinces do not follow Daylight Saving Time. The regions include the state of Arizona in the US and the Canadian province, Saskatchewan. Aside from the 70 countries observing DST, other nations had considered clock changing. But why did they abolish Daylight Saving Time? Should you also support repealing DST?

Daylight Saving Time: The Simplest Solution to Energy Conservation

As mentioned, there were countries before that had followed Daylight Saving Time. But nowadays, they have been included in the nations that abolished it. If you go back to the early 20th century, many countries have considered DST. It is because Daylight Saving Time allows people to use more extended daylight in the evenings by changing the clocks one hour back to summertime. This annual activity promotes outdoor activities and saves energy.

Creating Daylight Saving Time is for energy conservation, but some people opposed it because of the adverse effects it provides. People living in different countries have opposing opinions when it comes to DST. However, the decision of whether to follow or abolish it depends on each country’s government. Whether you support the annual clock changing or not, it is essential to identify its pros and cons before becoming firm with your decision. Since there are adverse effects reported, knowing these negative effects can help you appropriately adapt to Daylight Saving Time.

Abolishing Daylight Saving Time

Brazil and Russia are just two of the countries that abolished the annual clock changing. But aside from these two, many states in the United States and other countries consider ditching the traditional practice. Some of the reasons why these places are considering abolishing DST are the health risks and increased car crashes connected to DST. For instance, California and Florida voted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in 2018. Meanwhile, in 2019, six states have passed legislation to place their states on year-round DST. 

As time passes by, more and more countries and states are considering ditching the annual practice of clock changing. If you are one of the individuals living in areas that observe DST, it’s time to know the adverse effects that Daylight Saving Time could bring. This way, you can understand better why the said countries and states are doing their best to pass legislation that will abolish the annual tradition.

Here’s Why Daylight Saving Time Should Be Abolished According to Health Officials

Probably, you have heard so many times that Daylight Saving Time provides various health risks. But what specific health conditions does DST make an impact on? How harmful is the clock changing to human health? Here’s what sleep experts say:

DST increases the risks of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Sleep is vital to human health. Depriving yourself to sleep can cause a lot of problems and increase your risks of certain diseases. Daylight Saving Time has a significant impact on one's sleep quality. Since it requires a clock changing twice a year, some people have a hard time adjusting to the clock changes—most people observing DST experience a disturbed circadian rhythm. 

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), circadian misalignment is associated with increased cardiovascular diseases and other health risks. AASM is a professional society that advances sleep care and improves sleep health. This organization calls for an end to Daylight Saving Time since they have advocacies to promote everyone's sleep quality.

As stated in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, light is the most potent exogenous zeitgeber or cue for circadian rhythm regulation. Since a person’s circadian rhythm responds to light, DST induces the delay by increasing morning darkness and evening light exposures. Studies suggest that shifting from the standard time to Daylight Saving Time increases myocardial function and stroke.

DST is associated with mood disturbances and suicide.

Have you ever heard of winter blues? This phenomenon is real because there is a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is a type of depression that usually begins and ends in the same year. People with SAD experience the symptoms during the winter months, making them feel moody. SAD is associated with Daylight Saving Time, affecting thousands of people. If not given proper attention, it could lead to depression and, worst, suicide. 

Therefore, if you know someone diagnosed with SAD or showing its symptoms, make sure to call a health expert’s assistance. Seasonal Affective Disorder can be treated using light therapy, psychotherapy, and medications. Winter blues is not just name to call what you are feeling blue in the winter months. Take the steps in treating this condition to improve your mood and keep you motivated throughout the year. It is essential to take these actions since it might take months or years before DST is abolished in your place.

DST can affect the day to day activities of people.

Although clock changes only happen twice, it still has a significant impact on human lives. For instance, changing the time confuses people in terms of timekeeping. As a result, some individuals miss their important appointments. There were also reports of increased car crashes in the United States. That’s why people observing DST should be extra careful on the road, whether you are just walking or driving your car.

Should you repeal Daylight Saving Time? The answer depends on what you believe in. If you think that it benefits you, then it is not wrong to support it. Besides, some people find it useful for energy conservation. But when it comes with adverse effects and you believe that you have higher risks to acquire the said health risks, it’s time to reconsider your beliefs. Since Daylight Saving Time can result in sleep deprivation or decreased sleeping hours, sleep experts recommend that you learn how to adapt to DST while it is still observed in your area. This way, you can still have good sleep quality while keeping your productivity at work.