Do you really know? How does daylight saving affect your health?
May 4, 2025
Explore the intriguing history of daylight saving time, from Benjamin Franklin's candle-saving idea to its wartime implementation. Discover the debated benefits of this clock-changing tradition and how it may impact your health, especially your sleep. Uncover strategies to cope with your internal clock and wellness during the shifts. Is it truly beneficial, or just an outdated practice? Get ready for a brief yet enlightening journey through time and health!
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Origins and Purpose of DST
- Daylight saving time (DST) was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin to conserve candles but implemented during World War I to save fuel.
- DST is practiced by advancing clocks in spring and reverting in autumn to use natural daylight better and save energy.
DST Energy Savings Uncertain
- Research on whether DST saves energy is mixed, with some studies showing a minor reduction and others no effect or increase.
- Effects of DST on energy depend on geographic, climatic, and lifestyle factors.
Health Risks from DST Time Shift
- DST disrupts our circadian rhythm leading to sleep loss, fatigue, mood and cognitive impairments.
- It is linked to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, depression, and diabetes, especially after the springtime change.