Calgarians will set their clocks forward this weekend as daylight saving time begins, but discussions about whether Alberta should stop changing clocks twice a year continue.
Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, meaning Calgarians will lose one hour of sleep.
But they gain approximately an additional hour of evening light.
In 2021, the Government of Alberta held a referendum asking residents whether the province should adopt permanent daylight saving time.
The proposal was narrowly defeated, meaning Alberta continues to switch between daylight saving time and standard time each year.
British Columbia Premier David Eby recently announced Sunday’s time change will be the last one for the majority of people in that province who observe Pacific Time, as the provincial government plans to make daylight saving time permanent. People living in the eastern parts of B.C. that observe Mountain Time will be unaffected by the change.
Sleep expert warns of health effects of daylight saving time
Amy Bender, a sleep expert and associate professor at the University of Calgary, says the spring transition to daylight saving time has significant health effects.
“People may think the change to DST is benign, but there are major health implications. We lose an hour of sleep and also suffer from circadian misalignment. In the few days after DST, we see more heart attacks, strokes, car accidents, and hospital visits,” Bender saidin an email interview.
Bender said permanent standard time would better align with human biology.
“A permanent switch to Standard Time is the best way to go for our biology, as it means brighter days (earlier light) and darker nights. There has been some work to show that those who live on the eastern edge of time zones (earlier sunrise and sunset) have better health outcomes,” Bender added.
Bender also suggested ways people can prepare for the time change.
“Go to bed earlier and wake up earlier in the days leading into the time change, get light in the morning and dim lights at night, take a short nap if needed to help combat sleep loss,” she said.
Something to look forward to?
For some university students, the longer daylight hours are something to look forward to.
“I find that I’m much more motivated and energetic when the weather is nice, and the sun is out. During the school year, I usually try to take my harder classes in the first semester because I know my mood and motivation tend to be better during the brighter, warmer months of September and October,” said Grace Ksery, a student at the University of Calgary.
“I always look forward to the time change and having more daylight during the day. The longer days make it easier to stay productive because I feel like I have more time and energy to get my work done and manage my responsibilities,” said Ksery.
