It’s that dreaded time of year again… or it’s your favorite time of year, depending on how the time change has affected you in the past. Most parents, teachers, and medical professionals will tell you that falling back is easier than springing forward, and a lot of people are starting to make sound arguments to get rid of the time change altogether so what IS the big deal?
According to National Geographic, daylight savings time was attributed by many to Benjamin Franklin discussing saving candle light, however, the article he wrote in 1784 regarding this idea may have been purely satirical in nature. Other historians attribute daylight savings to George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist who, in 1895, suggested a two-hour time shift to allow for “more post-work bug hunting,”(Wei-Haas and McKeever, 2/5/24). This concept of daylight savings, however, really came to the forefront during World War I, when Germany implemented it in 1916 to conserve scarce resources such as fuel for electric power. The United States followed suit on March 19, 1918 when it adopted Daylight Savings into law (webexhibits.org).
So, why is there so much “bellyaching” when it comes to time changes? We gain an hour in November and lose an hour in March and no matter which way you slice it, the big word that arguably causes anxiety is change. Suddenly, the sunsets we wistfully enjoy just before 6pm in November are occurring just before 5pm, and the dark mornings we dread are now making you second guess leaving your blinds open overnight at 6am. Kids are crabby and parents are looking at the time and wondering why 7pm now feels like midnight.
There is a science behind this, and according to the Mayo Clinic, it has to do with neurochemicals in the brain, namely, serotonin. Sunlight influences these neurochemicals, and even subtle changes in sunlight can disrupt them, causing a domino effect impacting your sleep schedules and regulation of your mood cycles (Balzer, 10/31/24). And that’s just adults who arguably have or at least should have better regulation skills than children. Children adjusted to the start of the school year, and now, in November, have to adjust to changes in weather, changes in light and darkness, and significant workloads as the push to be productive prior to holiday breaks begins around the same time. Attention, focus, irritability levels, anxiety and depression levels can affect kids at this time of year and can lead to issues with attendance in school (Gonzalez and Fantis, 11/2/24).
What is a person to do? Most experts agree on the following- maintain a healthy diet, continue to adhere to consistent sleep schedules, and get outside to soak up some sun. Bundle the kids up if it’s cold and head to the zoo or take a walk in the neighborhood. If the weather becomes abysmal, light therapy is recommended as well – a quick search on amazon for “light therapy” will be satisfactory. This time of year, however, is also notorious for an increase in emotions- the holidays are coming, and so is the melancholy feeling for many at this time of year. You are not alone. Here at Palmaccio therapy, you can get in touch with us if you are struggling and schedule an appointment.
Links to Sources:
Daylight saving time, facts and information
Full text – Daylight Saving Time – U.S. Law, 1918 & 1942
Mayo Clinic Minute: How change in sunlight can affect your mood – Mayo Clinic News Network
As Daylight Saving Time ends, here’s how you can save your kids’ mental health — and your own
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