How did things go for you last week? For me, it was like one of those long, lost weekends that went on for days. Woke up Sunday morning in a fog. Had breakfast when I wasn’t hungry. By lunch time, I could barely stay awake. Tried to nap, but couldn’t. The rest of the day was a blur. Finally woke up for the evening news, but lay awake until midnight. By Wednesday I couldn’t remember what day it was. Changing the clocks twice a year is national madness. Please, please make daylight savings time permanent, or abolish it altogether. Do away with Daylight Savings Time doldrums.
According to the John Hopkins School of Health:
MAKING THE SHIFT CAN INCREASE YOUR HEALTH RISKS.
“The scientific evidence points to acute increases in adverse health consequences from changing the clocks, including in heart attack and stroke,” says sleep expert Adam Spira, PhD, MA, a professor in Mental Health.
The change is also associated with a heightened risk of mood disturbances and hospital admissions, as well as elevated production of inflammatory markers in response to stress. The potential for car crashes also spikes just after the spring forward, Spira says; a 2020 study found that the switch raises the risk of fatal traffic accidents by 6%.”
Some people like DST and others don’t. 55% of people would like to see it done away with. As a retiree, I can sleep as late as I like. Right now, I’m getting out of bed an hour later than usual. But actually, I’m not. When I arise at 9:30 o’clock, my body thinks its really 8:30 and feels like it’s doing what it always does. However, my husband thinks we should adjust by gradually getting up earlier, so that we’re in sync with the rest of the world. I guess he has a point.
There are lots of reasons not to change the clocks in the spring and fall. But as far as I’m concerned, an increase in fatal traffic accidents is a compelling indication that it’s just plain wrong. If you’ve ever lost a loved one to such a tragedy, I’m sure you would agree.
Who decides what’s best for everyone in the United States? I think that they (whoever they are) should take a vote and let the majority decide. Do away with Daylight Savings Time doldrums. Make it permanent or abolish it altogether. No more long, lost weekends.