The Insomnia Epidemic: Why It’s Time to Shutter Daylight Saving Time Once & For All Sleep Family Health

Our internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is critical for healthy functioning. Day in and day out, circadian rhythm silently guides our sleep, cognition and energy. Meanwhile, driving to work and school when it is still dark outside – because of the fall shift – is associated with increased accidents and poor functioning. Also, with increased usage of psychoactive substances among men, 20 and older (SleepFoundation.org).

Overall, the shifts caused by following daylight saving time have been associated with higher risk of death from car crashes, workplace (including medical) errors, stroke and heart attacks, and serious mood disturbances.

"Springing forward” is harder on the body than the “falling back” ritual, but both are unhealthy and worsen our national epidemic of insomnia. The extra hour of light in the evening makes it harder for people to fall asleep. For many people, this simply results in one less hour of sleep per night.

We are already a sleep-deprived society, being down to an average of six and three-quarter hours of sleep per night. This increases fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, weight gain, chronic pain and immune dysfunction. Simply put, things that worsen our national epidemic of insomnia are unhealthy.

I my opinion, until the daylight-saving time laws are changed there are many safe, natural approaches to helping the body get to sleep when it’s time. These can include melatonin and numerous herbs and nutrients such as valerian, passionflower, five HTP, hops and lavender. A number of essential oils can also be quite effective.

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