When Does Daylight Saving Time Start And How Does It Effect You?

“Spring forward, Fall Back,” Daylgiht Saving Time officially begins Sunday, March 10 (2013) when the clock will jump from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.  So in reality, there are only 23 hours in this coming Sunday.  Can losing one hour in your day adversely effect you?  Like politics and religion, there seem to be many thoughts on what’s true and what’s not.

Daylight Saving Time got it’s start because people no longer get up early in the morning.  In an effort to save energy and not waste daylight hours sleeping, the suggestion was made to move more daylight to the end of the day.

Those Opposed to Daylight Saving

On an already sleep deprived population loosing another hour of sleep definetly can be bad for your health.  According to Date and Time.com studies have shown there is an increase in heart attacks with the time change.

…incidences of heart attacks increased significantly for the first three week days after the transition to daylight saving time in the spring. In contrast, there were fewer incidences of heart attacks after the transition from daylight saving to standard time in the autumn.

Other studies have indicated an increase in vehicle accidents because it’s now dark during the morning commute.  Some even suggested a raise in manic episodes leading to an increase in suicides.

 Those Supporting Daylight Saving Time

One of the biggest arguments centers around energy comsumption.  Those supporting  DST say the hour of daylight at the end of the day puts more people outdoors reducing the need for household lighting and reducing energy consumption from the use of computers and TV.  That too brings into play, more exercise and more family time as benefits.

Some people believe that the extra hour of daylight in the afternoon or evening gives children more time to interact with a parent who works or studies during the day. It gives families time to socialize or enjoy an outdoor meal together.

In the end, both sides are probably right in some aspects.  But most of us will be a bit gloomier on Monday with an hour less sleep.  To make the time change transition easier, suggestions include:

• eating dinner an hour earlier
• take a brisk walk or run
• take the supplement melatonin
• avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening

Read more about time changes and their effects on you here.

SOURCE: Time and Date.com

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