Nighttime sleep loss for shift workers is imminent due to the approaching time change.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) has been a part of our lives for over a century, originating in the late 19th century as a way to better utilize daylight during the longer days of summer. The practice was first proposed by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895, and later popularized by British builder William Willett in 1907.
The idea was to shift clocks forward by a couple of hours during summer evenings, providing more daylight for activities like collecting insects (Hudson's motivation) or recreation and energy conservation (Willett's argument). DST was adopted widely during World War I as a means to save energy[1].
Benjamin Franklin also suggested a form of daylight adjustment in 1784, but the modern DST concept took shape with Hudson and Willett’s proposals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries[1][2][5].
Throughout its history, DST has been a subject of controversy. Farmers traditionally opposed it, as changing clocks disrupted their schedules. More recently, debates focus on health impacts, disruption of circadian rhythms, and whether the energy savings are still significant[1][3].
Currently, there is growing dissatisfaction with the twice-yearly time switches. The European Union has considered abolishing the practice, but political disagreements have delayed decisions. In the United States, discussions continue about making DST permanent or eliminating it altogether[3].
This complex history reflects changing societal priorities from wartime urgency and energy concerns to modern considerations of health and well-being balanced against tradition and economic interests.
The article, penned by Matthew A. McIntosh, was published by a certain publication on March 12, 2016, and can be found on Matthew McIntosh's personal website. For those who find the time change challenging to adjust to, it may help to go back to sleep to make up for the lost hour.
Matthew McIntosh, the administrator of the article, also maintains multiple social media accounts, including Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, Threads, Tumblr, Mastodon, Reddit, Pinterest, Messenger, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Pocket, and Email, where he shares the article and other content. The article can be shared via various platforms, including Copy Link, Email, and Share.
References:
- National Geographic. (2012, March 11). The History of Daylight Saving Time. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120311-daylight-saving-time-history-origin-benjamin-franklin/
- History.com Editors. (2009, March 20). Daylight Saving Time. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/us-history/daylight-saving-time
- BBC News. (2019, March 10). Daylight saving time: Why do we change the clocks? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-47555648
- Time and Date. (n.d.). The history of daylight saving time. Retrieved from https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/history.html
- The Conversation. (2019, March 11). Why do we change our clocks for daylight saving time? Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/why-do-we-change-our-clocks-for-daylight-saving-time-114328
- Adhering to a health-and-wellness routine during the transition of Daylight Saving Time might involve prioritizing rest, such as going to bed early to ensure adequate sleep.
- Engaging in fitness-and-exercise practices could potentially help regulate circadian rhythms disrupted by daylight saving time shift, contributing to overall health and wellness.
