A man from North Bay, Ontario, who suffers from insomnia, highlighted the disruptive effects of biannual clock changes. Ken Porter, associated with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, expressed how even gaining an extra hour during the end of daylight saving time can throw off his entire week. Porter emphasized the significant impact of a mere one-hour time difference on productivity.
Struggling with sleep issues due to anxiety and insomnia, Porter mentioned how these conditions have been persistent challenges for him. To manage his insomnia, he follows good sleep practices like maintaining a consistent bedtime and avoiding phone usage before sleep. However, he noted that the semiannual time changes disrupt his established sleep routine, likening the experience to jet lag.
The practice of changing clocks twice a year has long been a subject of debate. In 2020, Ontario passed a bill aiming to make daylight saving time permanent, pending similar actions from New York and Quebec. Ottawa Liberal MP Marie-France Lalonde recently announced plans to introduce legislation to abolish time changes nationwide, acknowledging the public discourse on the necessity of these adjustments.
Despite these proposals, the immediate end to time changes is unlikely before the upcoming clock adjustment this Sunday, where clocks will revert to standard time by falling back an hour at 2 a.m.