Daylight Saving Time Is Tomorrow: Here's What's Good And Bad About Losing One Hour

First Posted: Mar 07, 2015 08:16 PM EST
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Like it or not, most Americans will wake up to their smart phones tomorrow and see that they missed an hour of sleep. Just so turns out, they actually did. It's daylight saving time.

March 8 at 2 a.m. marks the beginning for moving the clocks forward an hour, which our smart phones will typically do for us. However, any wall or stereo clocks will have to be adjusted manually.

Daylight saving time has been used in the United States and in many European countries since World War I. It has a rather confusing meaning, as it shows that daylight arrives later in the morning but lasts longer at night.

As summer approaches, days grow longer and longer, with the summer solstice or longest day of 2015 predicted to be June 21.

Many are oftentimes not a fan of daylight saving time. Losing an hour of sleep can mess up their schedule or even a small slide on their circadian rhythm.

A 2014 study published in the journal Chronobiology International showed that this time of the year can be a bit stressful. Researchers found that study participants produced more of the stress hormone cortisol. In fact, each one-hour delay was associated with a 5 percent median increase of cortisol in the bloodstream.

A separate 2013 study published in Chronobiology International showed that the loss of an hour resulted in sleep disruptions and insomnia for some.

However, more daylight also means more time outside. And that can be a good thing when it comes to exercise. A 2014 study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that kids got more exercise when it was bright and sunny outside instead of being cooped up during snowy weather.

Of course, with every season comes a change and certain ups and downs. No matter what, come 2 a.m. at the crack of dawn, get ready to set your clocks back one hour. It's daylight saving time.

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