How does springing forward impact more than just sleep?

With Albertans set to spring forward into Daylight Saving Time this weekend, are voters regretting not voting to scrap it? And how does it affect more than just sleep?

“It doesn’t make a lick of difference to me,” said one retired Albertan. “I just don’t like the mornings, getting up in the dark.”

Daylight Saving Time doesn’t mean much if you don’t have to get up for a morning commute. Albertans will be turning the clock ahead an hour this Sunday, but sleep doctors warn you could lose more than just an hour’s sleep.

Researchers claim in the days following the time change they see an increase in collisions, workplace accidents, and even heart attacks.

Our sleep rhythms are controlled by a clock we have in our brain, and that clock follows daylight,” explained Dr. Michael Antle, professor at the Univesity of Calgary. “So it’s not just losing that one hour, it’s getting up an hour early every day.”

Over two years ago Albertans voted on whether or not to stay on permanent Daylight Saving Time — which would be summer hours. Antle says while Albertans were right to vote ‘no’, it’s because staying on summer hours isn’t right for Alberta.

“Our two major cities — Calgary and Edmonton — are among the most Northern major cities in Canada, so we have really short days compared to other countries in the winter. So you really want to get it right, especially for Alberta,” said Antle.

CityNews reached out to the province for comment on whether they’re interested in revisiting the Daylight Saving Time debate. In a response, the province says, “There are no current plans to hold another referendum on Daylight Saving Time. Albertans will continue to adjust their clocks twice a year as a result of the 2021 referendum. We will continue to monitor impacts on Alberta as other jurisdictions consider standardizing one set time.”