For 48 states, Daylight Saving Time is here! The darker mornings and loss of sleep can make waking up on Sunday a little difficult. The time change is notorious for messing up our circadian rhythm. However, despite the disruption in sleep, Daylight Saving Time brings forth many positives, including:
- Longer days
- More sunshine
- Reduction in seasonal depression
- Daylight after work
- More outdoor festivals
- Running, riding a bike, and gardening in the evenings
- Watching the sunrise
The longer days gives us the opportunity to take advantage of daylight in the evenings. There is still plenty of time to enjoy a bike ride or gardening after work. More sunshine also brings more outdoor leisure activities including concerts, festivals and barbeques.
Although we lose an hour of sleep, getting up before the sunrise gives us the opportunity to experience the beauty of it. Taking in these small but enjoyable moments during the day helps lift our mood. Daylight Saving Time also signifies the arrival of spring and some relief from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Often times the negatives of time change are emphasized. There has even been some discussion on doing away with DST in the United States all together. But for now we should focus on the positives of springing forward and soaking in the extra hour of sunshine.
