Daylight Saving Time ENDS This Weekend! Sleep Tips & Senator Rubio's FIGHT to Make DST PERMANENT!

Fall Back, Sleep In! daylight saving time 2024 and the Push for Permanent Change

Daylight Saving Time Ends: Get Ready for that Extra Hour of Sleep!

This November 3rd, we're "falling back" – and gaining a whole extra hour of sleep! Clocks will "spring forward" again on March 9th. While that extra hour might sound great; experts warn it still might impact sleep! Even though many people get some benefits such as longer daylight hours or improved work routines, others really might find it quite annoying. Daylight Saving Time (DST) – a 238-day stretch affecting sleep patterns, is designed for a certain specific goal, extending daylight to utilize that sunlight more productively – this sounds fine, on the surface, however it has serious implications!

This impacts our circadian rhythm (our internal body clock). Shifting that rhythm leads to those issues impacting sleep cycles and affecting mood; and a major risk factor many sleep researchers highlight! A lack of sleep reduces learning, focus, and reaction time. Even that extra hour may not help with the larger issue – that cumulative sleep debt!

Also Read: Daylight Saving Time 2024: Sleep Better After the Time Change! Expert Tips & Tricks!

Why the Fuss About Changing Clocks?

Daylight Saving 2024: How To Adjust For The Fall Time Change Image

Scientists and Health experts push for a major, permanent change! We need a move away from those twice-yearly clock changes – completely going to permanent standard time! Why? This better matches human biology – which affects health, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Light and darkness determine the circadian rhythm. DST's disruptions really mess that up; causing those various health-related issues. The AASM emphasized that this has "significant health and public safety issues", following these clock changes!

Most of the US observes DST. The AASM study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine emphasized just why change is desperately needed. However, most people likely know these aren't going to change easily – eliminating these would involve monumental effort and work; requiring intense discussions and long term efforts.

Also Read: Daylight Saving Time Ends SUNDAY! 'Fall Back' Time Change Explained: What You NEED To Know!

The Fall Back: Impact on Sleep, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

'Lock the clock': Sen. Rubio makes another bid to make daylight saving time permanent Image

While "falling back" generally creates less sleep issues compared to "spring forward", sleep patterns might still get affected! Those people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) might experience more challenges and it becomes more apparent during the months of fall and winter with limited sunlight and thus, those with SAD might find things worse during this specific time period.

Studies demonstrate some incredibly critical connections and impact between SAD and other related problems; issues involving poor sleep, messed up circadian rhythms and limited sunlight. It becomes incredibly important to find the appropriate therapies and manage SAD appropriately. Researchers show that phototherapy (light therapy) is actually extremely effective!

Senator Rubio’s Ongoing Push: Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent

How to prepare your body and mind for the end of daylight saving time Image

Senator Marco Rubio is pushing once again to do away with this whole biannual clock switching routine, and for the change to be done nationwide. He suggested, "It's time to lock the clock!" and made his own official announcement, highlighting his own effort through legislation – most notably the Sunshine Protection Act, designed to eliminate clock changes by introducing a permanent solution for DST!

This isn’t new. He’s been pushing the Sunshine Protection Act since March 2023. The Act passed in the Senate in 2022, but isn't getting any progress within the House, even though it has been introduced throughout several legislative sessions. It highlights a really significant issue; emphasizing the continued necessity of these legislative attempts and discussions needed to produce a solution, especially as highlighted throughout those related discussions from previous periods.

Preparing for the Time Change: Tips for a Smooth Transition

The best and most sensible approach? Prepare for the upcoming switch! It might seem trivial to most but this can produce amazing results for all involved. The good news is – this upcoming "fall back" is relatively easy compared to "spring forward". Some strategies involve gradually adjusting bedtimes prior to the change – especially by leveraging external tools for optimizing your daily sleep hygiene.

Some strategies involve changing bedtimes, increasing daylight exposure, getting quality sleep – reducing all those disturbances in routines that affect sleeping – and leveraging techniques improving quality of life and also creating other practices in daily habits that increase quality sleep; making this time change less problematic! It might even alleviate issues relating to SAD.

Conclusion: Will the US Ever End the Clock Changing?

There's continued debate; discussions regarding this. The Sunshine Protection Act might yet pass and would affect how DST functions across America. Experts highlight standard time aligning better with human biology. This will benefit a great majority.

The change might happen– hopefully soon! Those affected individuals already recognize and feel those negative impacts and these are a risk we could largely mitigate!