THE DISRUPTIVE SHIFT

[adrotate group=”1″] Daylight saving time, that biannual clock dance, disrupts our internal rhythms. Here’s how: Health Risks:  The sudden shift messes with our bodies. Researchers link DST to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, mood disturbances, and hospital admissions. Inflammatory markers spike due to stress, and car crashes become more likely after the spring forward. Energy Conservation Myth:  Benjamin Franklin’s candle-saving idea birthed DST, but today it’s questionable.  Lighting accounts for less energy use, and extending daylight hours encourages more air conditioning and heating. Mood Disorders:  Contrary to popular belief, extra evening sunlight doesn’t necessarily make us healthier. Data suggests DST exacerbates mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Circadian Rhythms:  Sunlight synchronizes our internal clocks.  While evening light is great for outdoor activities, it can disrupt our sleep patterns, making it harder to fall asleep at our usual bedtime. The Two-Hour Gap Now, let’s focus on the peculiar scenario of a state being two hours ahead of the sun. Imagine waking up while the world outside is still cloaked in darkness. Here’s what happens: Darker Mornings:  After DST, mornings become gloomier. The sun rises later, affecting our wake-up routines. On March 9, Milwaukee will see sunrise at 6:11 a.m., but on March 10, it won’t rise until 7:09 a.m. Evening Sunsets: On the flip side, evenings gain extra daylight. By April 15, the sun sets at 7:36 p.m. in Milwaukee, granting 13 hours and 29 minutes of daylight. Trade-Off:  While longer evenings are delightful, the cost is darker mornings. Finding the right balance is tricky. Longest Day of the Year Remember the Summer Solstice? It’s the longest day, when the sun reaches its zenith. This year, Milwaukeeans will bask in 15 hours and 25 minutes of daylight on June 20. The sun rises at 5:10 a.m. and sets at 8:36 p.m. DST isn’t just about adjusting clocks; it’s about recalibrating our lives. As we spring forward, let’s be mindful of the effects—both positive and negative—of this temporal tango with time.  BUT,  Our government officials do not care about OUR HEALTH.  All they care about is having more time to play Golf and enjoy the benefits of their extravagant lives.  Nevermind the average working man’s needs.  I suggest those who want DST should adjust their times to their schedules, NOT force the general  public to observe DST’ers to go along with their whims. DST’ers I ask you.  How much time have you saved.  (SAVED, as a rule means to put aside for use at a later date).  When to you plan to make that withdrawal of time.  Answer YOU HAVE NOT ONE MINUTE IN YOUR BANK.  YOU WILL NEVER USE IT.  Maybe DST should really be called SDT (SUN DELAYED TIME), at least that would be more HONEST! [adrotate group=”1″] Post Views: 120