Most Canadians need a few days to adjust when transitioning between daylight saving time and standard time, but experts caution that this biannual time shift disrupts sleep patterns and affects the body’s internal clock adversely.
Dr. Michael Mak, a psychiatrist and sleep specialist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, explains that the body’s internal clock syncs with the external light-dark cycle, emphasizing the importance of alignment for overall health.
Instead of toggling between daylight saving time (DST) and standard time (ST), researchers studying circadian rhythms suggest permanently sticking to Standard Time, which aligns better with natural body rhythms and supports overall well-being.
Springing Forward Poses Challenges
Research indicates that the transition to DST in spring, resulting in a loss of an hour of sleep, is more detrimental than gaining an extra hour in the fall, according to Rebecca Robillard, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa specializing in clinical sleep research.
Robillard points out that the spring DST change heightens the risk of health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and digestive problems, along with complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, as highlighted in studies.
Liberal MP Marie-France Lalonde, along with sleep experts, plans to introduce a bill to end the biannual time change.
Given the significant differences in daylight hours experienced by countries far from the equator, DST adoption in these regions aims to maximize daylight utilization during spring and summer. However, Canadians, according to Robillard, face challenges in sleep quality during DST due to extended evening activities influenced by warmer weather.
Despite the benefits of DST in some regions, experts suggest that adhering to Standard Time is more conducive to natural sleep patterns and overall health, as emphasized by sleep researchers in Canada.