Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, so clocks will “fall back” one hour. But experts say this doesn’t guarantee an extra hour of sleep.
Cristiano Guarana, an associate professor studying sleep and productivity at IU’s Kelley School of Business, said that hour isn’t typically used for sleep, but other activities instead.
“We don't see any benefits being added back to our health, to our work life, to our personal life, to our relationships when we are adding that hour back to our schedule,” he said.
Setting clocks forward an hour in spring is damaging, though. Guarana cited an increase in heart attacks, strokes and traffic collisions in the two days after, due to less sleep. He also said worker productivity decreases, and workplace accidents increase in frequency and severity.
Guarana said daylight saving time was established, in part, to save energy, but that goal may not be applicable anymore.
“With the data that we have, we know that the changing energy consumptions really don't happen,” he said. “We are basically imposing a cost to society, without much of a benefit.”
Legislative efforts to end daylight saving time have stalled in Indiana.
Guarana offered advice to make changing clocks easier. He recommended adjusting sleep schedule gradually, by 15 minutes a night if possible. He also suggested getting sunlight exposure in the morning and avoiding screens before bed.
Guarana said prioritizing good sleep will improve quality of life in general.
Watch : NOVA | Why Experts Say Permanent Daylight Saving Time is Unhealthy