Canadians may still be feeling the effects after clocks moved forward for daylight saving time last weekend.
The change happened early Sunday morning when clocks jumped ahead one hour. Sleep researchers say the shift can disrupt the body’s internal clock, and it may take several days for people to fully adjust.
According to the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium, the loss of even one hour of sleep can affect alertness, concentration and overall energy levels.
Research has also linked the springtime change to increases in fatigue, traffic accidents and workplace injuries in the days following the switch.
The change continues to raise questions about how seasonal clock shifts affect health and daily life in Canada, particularly as some provinces consider moving to permanent daylight saving time.
Ontario passed legislation in 2020 that would make daylight saving time permanent. The province has not yet implemented the change because officials say they would prefer to coordinate the move with neighbouring jurisdictions such as Quebec and New York.
In British Columbia, the discussion around permanent daylight saving time has also drawn attention from sleep researchers.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia recently warned that keeping daylight saving time year-round could create a mismatch
between people’s biological clocks and their daily schedules.
Sleep scientists refer to this mismatch as social jet lag. It occurs when a person’s internal body clock does not align with work or school schedules.
Researchers say adolescents may be especially affected. Teenagers already tend to go to sleep later due to biological and social factors, yet they often still need to wake up early for school.
Studies have linked chronic sleep loss in adolescents to difficulties with attention, learning and behaviour. It has also been associated with higher risks of anxiety and depression.
Health experts say people can reduce the effects of the time change by maintaining consistent sleep routines. Getting exposure to morning sunlight and limiting caffeine late in the day may also help the body adjust.
Daylight saving time in Ontario will remain in effect until early November, when clocks will move back one hour.
