By Danielle Smith, Keystone State News Connection
This Sunday, most of the United States will “spring forward” for daylight saving time, which means losing an hour of sleep.
Dr. Deepa Burman, associate professor of pediatrics and co-director of the Pediatric Sleep Evaluation Center at the University of Pittsburgh, said the time change disrupts the body’s internal, social, and natural clocks and can lead to irritability and mood issues. She pointed out research also links the shift to workplace and economic effects.
“Studies have shown that in the United States, we actually lose anywhere from $400 million to $600 million a year because of not only loss of workplace productivity, because people are more tired at their workplace, but also increased calls of absenteeism,” she said.
Burman noted the American Academy of Sleep Medicine supports permanent “standard time,” arguing it is better for people’s internal clocks. Some describe “springing forward” for daylight saving time as like shifting to a new time zone without traveling.
Burman emphasized daylight saving time may also be harmful to some people’s health, as research has shown the chances of heart attack go up by 6% when people lose that hour of sleep.
“There is an increased risk of stroke by around 8%,” Burman added. “Motor vehicle accidents actually increase by 6% in the week following the time change.”
Burman recommended Pennsylvanians try adjusting to time changes with small steps, such as shifting your bedtime by 15 minutes each night before the time change, update nondigital clocks the night before, get plenty of morning light, and dim screens in the evening.
The post Expert: Daylight Saving Time Affects PA Workers’ Health, Economy appeared first on BCTV.
Source: bctv