It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday March 3, 2026.
Daylight Savings Time starts on Sunday. Let’s be careful. All of Mat-Su and Alaska will be sleep deprived for a few days.
Dr. Jill Valerius discussed the health impacts of Daylight Savings Time on this week’s episode of Your Health with Dr. Jill. Clocks move forward one hour for the spring transition. This is challenging for our bodies. This loss of an hour of sleep is viewed as a minor inconvenience. Research shows the shift has effects on sleep, safety, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being.
Daylight Savings Time does not create more daylight. It relabels the clock, shifting light from morning to evening. Its origins are not rooted in health or science.
It is incorrectly attributed to Benjamin Franklin. His 1784 essay joked about candle savings. It was satire. The first proposal came from George Vernon Hudson in 1895. He wanted more evening light for collecting insects.
Daylight Savings Time was first implemented nationally by Germany during World War I to conserve coal. Other nations followed.
The United States standardized Daylight Savings Time with the Uniform Time Act of 1966 after periods of optional observance and confusion. It was extended from March to November in 2007.
Most states observe Daylight Savings Time. Exceptions include Arizona except the Navajo Nation and Hawaii.
Many countries, including China, Japan, India, Russia, and Iceland, do not observe Daylight Savings Time. In 2019, the European Union voted to allow member states to abandon the biannual shift.
Daylight Savings Time is being reevaluated due to its impact on human biology. Our bodies run on circadian rhythm. These internal 24-hour clocks are regulated largely by light exposure. Our internal timing becomes misaligned with schedules when clocks abruptly shift. The spring forward transition is disruptive. It results in sleep loss. Even one hour can create a sleep debt that takes several days to correct.
Research shows a consistent 6% increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents in the week following the spring transition. Sleep deprivation reduces reaction time, impairs attention, and increases errors. This is especially true for darker morning commutes.
Workplace injuries also rise, especially in high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation. These injuries tend to be more severe and result in more lost workdays.
Cardiovascular risk also increases. Short-term rises in heart attacks and ischemic strokes occur during the first few days after the spring shift.
Sleep deprivation triggers inflammatory responses and elevates blood pressure. It disrupts the autonomic nervous system. These effects are concerning for people with heart disease, diabetes, or sleep disorders.
Mental health is affected. Modest sleep disruption worsens mood regulation, increases irritability, and lowers stress tolerance. Data show short-term increases in depressive symptoms, anxiety, substance-related harms, and suicide rates among vulnerable populations.
In places with extreme seasonal light changes, such as Alaska, the additional clock shift may further strain circadian systems.
Those most affected include shift workers, individuals with chronic medical conditions, early-morning drivers, and people with mood disorders.
Dr. Jill recommends gradually adjusting sleep schedules three to five days before the time change. You can shift bedtime and wake time 15 to 20 minutes earlier each day to reduce impact.
Morning light exposure is crucial, while evening screen use and bright lighting should be minimized. Protecting sleep during the 72 hours after the shift, allowing extra time for driving, and avoiding major decisions can also help.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Medical Association support eliminating seasonal clock changes. Evidence suggests the harms outweigh the benefits. Protecting sleep and respecting our biology are essential for overall health.
The full show of Your Health with Dr. Jill is podcast from our website and most podcast channels.
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This Page Two article was written by Mike Chmielewski and read by Lee Henrikson.
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday March 3, 2026.