Permanent Daylight Saving Time Could Harm Sleep and Mental Health, Analysis Says
Canadian health researchers are advocating for permanent standard time over permanent daylight saving time. They argue that standard time better aligns with human circadian rhythms and prevents the negative health impacts associated with darker winter mornings.
Why it matters
As many jurisdictions move to abolish seasonal clock changes, this research highlights the potential public health consequences of choosing the wrong permanent time system.
Canadian health researchers are urging the country to choose permanent standard time over permanent daylight saving time if it ends the twice-yearly clock change, warning that darker winter mornings could harm sleep and mental health.
As Canadian provinces consider whether to abandon the twice-yearly clock change, Lam et al . argue that permanent standard time would be better for public health than keeping daylight saving time year-round. Image credit: ChadoNihi.
Several Canadian jurisdictions have been moving toward permanent daylight saving time after eliminating seasonal clock changes.
Yukon adopted the policy in 2020, followed by British Columbia in March 2026 and Alberta and the Northwest Territories a month later.
The United States House of Representatives also passed a bill in July to establish permanent daylight saving time nationwide, although the measure remains before the Senate.
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