PICK A SIDE: Should we be observing daylight saving time

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Published March 13, 2020 at 4:27 pm

time_change

Have you been struggling to get out of bed when your alarm goes off in the morning?

Have you been grumbling about how the time the clock says is actually an hour earlier than the time it really is?

Are you still trying to acclimate your circadian rhythm to the time change?

While many people enjoy the fact the time change provides longer days with more sunlight in the evenings, it comes at a cost.

There is an increase in the number of car crashes shortly after the time change, which is due to the fact people are still acclimating to the change, and therefore not as alert behind the wheel.

Additionally, there is also an increased risk of workplace accidents due to the additional fatigue the time change causes.
Further, according to recent studies, there’s an increased risk of heart attacks the first three days after the time change.

And, while many believe the risks are only associated with the spring time change–when we lose an hour–there are also adverse effects associated with the fall change as well.

The fall change can induce feelings of depression and lethargy due to a lack of sunlight by moving the clocks ahead.
Moreover, most people aren’t even aware of why we change the clocks at all.

As illustrated in a video from Last Week Tonight with John Olliver, people seem to think the change is related to farmers.

However, in reality that’s not the case.

It actually dates back to the first world war as a way for Germans to save fuel.

So, Mississauga, what do you think?

Are you fans of daylight saving time, or do you think it’s time to scrap it?

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