Many countries are observing summer time (DST), in which clocks are moved forward one hour in March to gain more hours of daylight in spring and summer. In the United States, all but two states, Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation), observe daylight saving time and are therefore preparing to return to standard time on Sunday, November 2.
However, not everyone is happy with this change in routine, with recent surveys showing that 54% of Americans And 42% of Britons I want to eliminate DST completely.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) favors permanent standard time because it is better aligned with our circadian rhythmthe body’s internal clock. Since light exposure regulates the circadian rhythm, a mismatch between our body clock and the environment can lead to problems such as reduced sleephigher heart rate and blood pressure, and impaired immune functionwrote AASM representatives in a position statement.
Last month we reported on a study predicting that abandoning daylight saving time and staying permanently on standard time could prevent more than 2 million cases of obesity and approximately 300,000 strokes per year in the United States by better aligning our circadian rhythm with the environment.
Still others suggest there are benefits to keeping DST. Recent searcheswhich has not yet been peer-reviewed, examined 157 studies from 36 countries on links between DST and health outcomes and found evidence of fewer deaths and road accidents during the summer.
So, if it were up to you, would you ditch DST? Take our survey and tell us what you think about each time policy in the comments below. If you choose “I’m undecided,” what would persuade you anyway?
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