Daylight saving time: Tips on how to adjust when we spring forward

PITTSBURGH — Before you go to sleep Saturday night, don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead by one hour.

For years there’s been a big debate over whether we should stay on permanent daylight saving time. It’s the difference of just 60 minutes, but moving the clocks is something most of us either love or hate.

“Since we’re losing an hour, I’d say I hate it,” said Pittsburgh resident Andrew Jeffrey.

Rogella Jaorde was walking in Schenley Park and taking advantage of a rare sunny afternoon.

“I love it, because of the extra light at the end of the day,” Jaorde said.

“Forward, and back. Spring forward. Fall back. Doesn’t make any sense. There’s no purpose to it,” chimed in Lynda Smith.

Lawmakers apparently agree. For the second time, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is proposing the Sunshine Protection Act to keep most of the country on permanent daylight-saving time. Sleep experts, including members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine say it’s the right idea but maybe the wrong execution. They say standard time is the better bet for our bodies.

“The circadian rhythm, your body’s internal clock, is designed to be aligned when you have morning light,” said Sanjay Patel, M.D., director of the Center for Sleep and Cardiovascular Outcomes Research at UPMC.

Dr. Patel says if your body clock is off you can become sleep deprived, meaning, for starters, a higher risk of distracted driving, and mood disorders.

“There are also a lot of other health effects from being sleep deprived,” said Dr. Patel. “So, for example, the rate of heart attacks goes up the first few days after daylight savings.”

In the meantime, Dr. Patel said we can offset some of the changes by trying to get to bed earlier. Even 15 minutes tonight, and 15 minutes tomorrow would help. Starting Sunday morning, try to spend some time in the sunlight to readjust your body clock. Dr. Patel cautions that the change might take a few days.

“All of us feel a bit more miserable Monday after daylight savings,” he said.

“Get a head start. Lots of sleep, and extra coffee,” offered Jaorde.

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