Thursday, March 9, 2023
The impact of “Spring Forward” may have longer impact than most people think.
“There is strong evidence that the switch to or from Daylight Savings Time will affect the sleep of most individuals,” says Dr. Alistair MacLean, Queen’s University (Department of Psychology). “Typically, the changes in sleep may persist for as long as a week and include: difficulty falling asleep or more easily disturbed sleep.”
Queen’s sleep expert Dr. Alistair MacLean is available for comment on how time moving forward an hour this weekend can impact sleep patterns and what steps individuals can take to be more aware of the impacts the change can have.
“People who already have problems with sleep or who are more extreme morning or evening types may be more vulnerable,” he says. “The evidence regarding increases in pedestrian and vehicle traffic accidents, non-driving accidents, and stock market behaviour is mixed but is sufficient enough that individuals should be more cautious in the few days following a time change.”
Dr. MacLean adds, “The spring change is usually more difficult to deal with than the autumn change.”
To arrange an interview, please contact Media Relations Officer Mitchell Fox (343-363-1794) or Mitchell.Fox@queensu.ca at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.