Stopping the clock may be more detrimental than we think for our sleep and overall health. Experts explain why. Find out more about why permanent daylight savings may not be a good idea. DaylightSavings DiscoverMagazine
. And at some point or another, we’ve all tampered with our body’s internal clock, whether that was by pulling an all-nighter or catching a flight across time zones. As a result, we had to deal with the repercussions. So, how exactly would our circadian rhythm be affected if we made the switch to permanent DST? Erin Flynn-Evans, a sleep researcher and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, has some thoughts on the matter.
According to Flynn-Evans, our internal clock is set by daily light exposure and the most powerful light cue that we have is the timing of the sun. This means that if we set our clocks to help us wake up around sunrise, we will be more alert and awake. Similarly, Flynn-Evans explains that setting our clocks to help us get ready for bed around sunset will promote sleep and help us fall asleep easier.
Currently, when we set our clocks to standard time each fall, our clock time and our internal body clockThough our clocks move forward each spring, our health may not always follow suit.Flynn-Evans explains the effects we would feel from permanent DST by splitting them into two categories. The first is. This is largely because people will have to get up before sunrise, which will decrease alertness.
However, it’s important to note that this can also cause a shift in our nighttime schedules. People will have a tendency to go to bed later and this can throw off sleep schedules at large, says Flynn-Evans. If you have ever traveled, you can relate to the second major issue with permanent DST. Apparently, making the time switch could mean living in, where many people are going to bed and waking up with their bodies and the sunlight a bit out of sync. “While moving away from changing our clocks twice a year might sound ideal, we’re just sort of trading one set of problems for another,” says Flynn-Evans.