Every year, on the second Sunday of March, kids all across the world enjoy an extra hour of sunlight. An extra hour of opportunity. An extra hour of freedom. An extra hour of childhood.
Although an hour of sleep is lost in the annual practice of Daylight Saving Time (DST), who likes the sun setting before 7 o’clock anyways?
Originally conceptualized by Benjamin Franklin and formally adopted during World War II in efforts to conserve energy, Daylight Savings has been a historically controversial topic. Those who oppose the implementation of DST dislike the potential effects of losing an hour of sleep. While sleep is certainly important, the positive effects of the extra daylight specifically regarding teenagers far outweigh the hour of sleep lost in the process.
Winter always has a place in my heart because of the cheer brought by the holidays. Though after a while, being cooped up all winter with cabin fever gets old. There is something about the longer days which have a strange way of brightening my mood. As a matter of fact, I have noticed that even within the first week of DST, despite the laborious nature of the infamous third quarter of high school, I already have been more energetic.
There is a reason for this peculiar phenomenon. Studies have shown that the increased exposure to natural sunlight boosts serotonin levels- a neurotransmitter which increases happiness- lifting the overall mood of humanity. Hence, better times arise from better moods and can increase productivity on a day-to-day basis.
Perhaps the most obvious advantage of the extended daylight is the greater opportunities for outdoor activities. The chances for recreational physical activity outside, especially for teenagers, has immense benefits for physical and mental health. The power of exercise in rejuvenating people to continue through the ebbs and flows of life cannot be underestimated. Longer exposure to sunlight promotes physical activity that is needed for many to function at optimal conditions. Plus, an improved health will inherently come along with greater amounts of exercise.
Another benefit of DST, which specifically concerns parents, is the enhanced safety for their children who are outdoors at later hours. At dusk is typically when pedestrians are most susceptible to getting into an accident, as this time is when it becomes difficult for drivers to see. Because of the increased visibility during the extended daylight, drivers will be able to see pedestrians or children playing outside more easily.
In the long-standing debate regarding Daylight Savings Time, the health and safety reasons why an extra hour of sunlight is beneficial for high schoolers outweigh the potential disadvantages. It is important, especially in a person’s formative years, to build healthy habits which last a lifetime. DST is imperative in promoting these physical and mental health habits which breed success in one’s life and should be kept in the years to come.
