The Quebec Sleep Research Network, the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium, the Canadian Sleep Society, and the Canadian Society for Chronobiology all jointly applauded Minister Jolin-Barrette for raising the issue of Daylight Savings Time (DST). To share key scientific information and demystify the multidimensional impacts of time change, these organizations are preparing a memoir for the Quebec government and will launch a webinar and a discussion forum to inform the public on this complex issue.
Associate Professor Rébecca Robillard, co-chair of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium, supports the move that could have major health benefits, including neurological and cardiovascular health, mental health, pregnancy.
“This is not a sleep issue; this is a public health issue. All scientific evidence indicates it is in the best interest of public health to abolish time change and remain on permanent Standard Time, the natural time defined by the sun which is the best option for health, mood, safety, education, and productivity.”
Question: Why is it critical to stay on permanent standard time?
Rébecca Robillard: “On winter days with later sunrises, our biological clock gets pushed later, which causes a mismatch between our social clock and our biological clock, forcing us out of bed earlier than our body is ready for. If we went to permanent DST in the winter, it would be even worse as it would force us to wake one hour earlier relative to the sun than we would on Standard Time. This would demand most people to start school or work before sunrise for a third of the year. What people often don't realize is that it is morning light that is critical for well-being, health and productivity. By widening the discrepancy between our internal biological clock and the social and environmental clock, permanent DST would create a “social jet lag” associated with an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, depression, as well as poorer performance and higher risks of accidents. For example, in some countries which have tried moving to permanent DST, there has been a surge in adolescent’s winter depression, which was significantly attenuated after they switched to permanent standard time.”
Q: What are the impacts of time change?
RR: “The biological clock and its physiologic functions are a delicate and sophisticated system regulated by the light day-night cycle. It not only affects sleep, but also regulatory processes across the full body such as the immune, circulatory, metabolic and digestive systems. A one-hour adjustment of external time disrupts the biological clock.
“The Canadian Sleep Research Consortium recently released a summary articlenoting the effects of DST on increased rates of cardiovascular events, adverse consequences on mental health and daytime functioning, as well as reduced overall performances just to name a few examples.
“The geolocation of Canada’s time zones means DST makes some kids go to school in total darkness, and they even have their recess in the dark. The financial concerns raised –disjointed time zones, impacts on businesses – are manageable elements that should not overweight public health and overall well-being.”
The Canadian Sleep Research Consortium will be discussing this issue and more at its annual meeting in Montreal, on Thursday (October 24) and Friday (October 25).
For interviews with Professor Robillard, Associate Professor at the School of Psychology:
[email protected]
Quebec announces consultation on abolishing Daylight Savings Time
Katie Harp (Unsplash)
Simon Jolin-Barrette, Quebec’s Minister of Justice, announced a public consultation on abolishing Daylight Savings Time, a practice adopted 74 years ago across Canada that has been shown to cause significant mental and physical health problems while affecting the overall well-being of the population.