As Daylight Saving Time (DST) approaches, clocks will move forward by one hour on Sunday, resulting in darker mornings and more daylight in the evening. DST begins each spring when clocks “spring forward” and ends in the fall when they “fall back,” returning to Standard Time.
Jennifer Martin, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at the Benjamín León Jr. Family Center for Geriatric Research and Education at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, notes that this time change can cause effects similar to jet lag for many people. She explains that circadian rhythms—the body’s internal clock that manages sleep, hormone release, and alertness—are closely connected to natural light. When the clocks move forward, these rhythms can be disrupted, making it more difficult to wake up in the morning or fall asleep at night.
Martin points out that students may have particular trouble adjusting to early morning classes after the time change. This disruption can result in increased daytime fatigue, lower academic motivation, reduced cognitive performance, and higher levels of anxiety or depression.
To help ease the transition into DST, Martin recommends several strategies:
– Avoid sleep deprivation before the time change by going to bed on time during the weekend.
– Start mornings with exposure to sunlight and physical activity to help reset your internal clock.
– Quickly return to normal routines by aligning wake-up times, meals, and activities with the new schedule starting Sunday.
– Allow yourself time to adjust and avoid scheduling important meetings early Monday morning if possible. Extra travel time may also be needed as heavier traffic and an increase in accidents are common following DST changes.
Martin’s research focuses on sleep disorders. She states: “Not only would this eliminate the need to shift our sleep routines twice a year, but standard time also more closely aligns the clock on the wall with the rising and setting of the sun throughout the year. This benefits our health, wellbeing and public safety.”
