Daylight Saving Time, also known as "spring forward" or "summer time," is an annual practice in the United States and a few other countries where clocks are moved forward one hour to increase daylight hours in the spring and fall.
When the United States was first introduced to daylight saving time in 1895, it was a relatively minor change. The country didn't jump on the bandwagon until World War I when daylight saving was observed for just one hour per week.
However, the country has been changing its time zone twice yearly (on the second Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November) to reduce energy consumption.
By moving the clocks ahead one hour, most people get extra sleep during the day, which is great for those who work outside their homes, go to school or college, or have other activities in Knoxville, Maryville, Clinton, and Loudon, requiring more than eight hours of sleep each night. However, there are some downsides to this time change.
Impacts of the end of DST on morning and evening activities
First, it is important to understand that the end of daylight saving time will change when it was enacted—from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.—and this year is enacted on November 6 at 2:00 a.m., meaning that people will have an hour less of daylight. This can impact morning activities, including driving and commuting to work, since time spent on these activities could be affected by the change in time from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
On the other hand, evening activities like grocery shopping or cooking could be impacted by this change in time. This is because people will not have as much light available for tasks like these after sunset until after midnight when the sun goes down again at 6:00 p.m., which is what used to happen before daylight saving time began being enacted earlier than 2:00 a.m.
The change also affects seniors' ability to keep time in their daily activities such as mealtimes and medications.
How the end of DST might increase isolation or seasonal affective disorder
Another issue related to daylight saving time concerns seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there are fewer hours of sunlight and fewer hours with enough daylight so that the brain can produce serotonin—the chemical responsible for feelings of happiness—in response to sunlight exposure.
Steps seniors can take to minimize the impacts of the change due to the end of DST
For seniors, there's no time like the present to start thinking about how you can prepare for the end of daylight saving time.
Here are some suggestions:
- Set an alarm to remind one that it's time to get up, go outside, and enjoy the sunshine in Knoxville.
- Put lights on timers so they turn off automatically when the sun goes down or stay on longer when it starts getting dark in the evening in Clinton and Loudon.
- Turn off the TV at night and keep the volume low enough that it's not distracting from falling asleep.
- Use flashlights instead of candles. They use less energy and won't leave behind any smell or residue.
- Get plenty of exercise. Try to get up and move around every day so that the body has time to recover from the temperature change in Maryville and adjust to the new routine.
- Avoid overeating and drinking fluids after sundown. Eating smaller meals at regular intervals throughout the day will help keep blood sugar levels stable and reduce cravings for sugary snacks later in the evening when DST ends.
- Consider hiring a caregiver. If possible, try hiring someone who works around the clock so they can take over to give seniors time for their well-being (such as getting some sunlight).
If you are concerned about how DST will affect your loved one's health or safety, consider hiring a caregiver expert Senior Helpers of Greater Knoxville. We offer compassionate care for those who need it most around Knoxville, Maryville, Clinton, and Loudon, TN. Contact us to learn more!