Community Offers Opinions on Daylight Savings

By JILLIAN CHENG, SOPHIE JAFFER, AMERSON LIANG, and LEVI STOLL

As fall term draws to a close, the nights grow colder, the days become shorter, and winter seems right around the corner. The main culprit for the drastic shift in the length of the days is DST (Daylight Savings Time). This year, the shift from EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) to EST (Eastern Standard Time) occurred on Sunday, Nov. 3.

The phrase “spring forward, fall back” accurately describes daylight savings, which moves the clock “forward” an hour in the spring and “back” an hour in the fall. The idea of daylight saving, born in the 1900s, is to reduce the need for energy usage in the summer and instead rely on natural light from the sun. However, as a result, the daylight in the fall and winter is reduced. Especially at the Academy, DST casts a shadow over students’ general health.

“Daylight Savings Time can adversely impact health and well-being primarily through the disruption of the body’s natural circadian rhythm (the day-night cycle),” Lamont Health Center’s medical director Derek Trapasso said. These effects can manifest as sleep disruption and higher stress levels. “Changes in routine and loss of sleep can increase stress impacting mental and physical health.”

Additionally, DST significantly affects students’ mental health. “Changes in daylight exposure can impact levels of serotonin and melatonin which are some of the mood-regulating hormones in our bodies,” Trapasso added.

DST and SAD (seasonal affect disorder), colloquially known as seasonal depression, are closely interlinked. “SAD is closely related to circadian rhythm disruptions, and DST directly impacts the natural light exposure through the seasonal shifts in daylight,” Trapasso said. “Exposure to morning light in the morning is very important for regulating mood and circadian rhythm.”

Students and faculty across campus noticed how the reduction of daylight affected their mood. Lower Chloe Meyer-Blohm said, “I would rather get out of class when it’s still early because I get tired quicker when it’s dark outside.” 

Prep Ava Kruttschnitt echoed that sentiment, saying, “I don’t like how the sun sets really early because when I get out of classes or sports practice, it’s always really dark.” 

Meyer-Blohm noted how the earlier sunset impacted her, adding, “Since I’m always more tired faster in the day, it makes me less motivated to do my homework, and it just really messes up my routine.” 

Kruttschnitt also mentioned the change in routine: “I only knew [about DST] when it popped up on my calendar, and I would’ve appreciated if Exeter had made it known just so I was more prepared, and I didn’t get thrown off with some of my events on Sunday.”

Instructor in Science Charles Mamolo reflected that “if you can just continue daylight savings time schedule and not move back to standard time, I think it’s a better situation. Going forward and back, it just changes the rhythm of the biological clock.” Daylight savings makes Mamolo more fatigued during the day, but it doesn’t impact his teaching too much. “I am tired because of the shift of the time and it’s just hard to readjust to it. But given another two weeks or three weeks, I’ll be fine again.”

Knowing all of Daylight Savings Time’s various side effects, Trapasso listed some recommendations to combat them. Specifically regarding Seasonal Affective Disorder, Trapasso mentioned, “The excellent team at CAPS have provided light boxes which are available for students to use.  Light therapy, which mimics natural sunlight, can help increase serotonin production (to improve mood) and regulate melatonin (to improve sleep).  Light boxes have been distributed to the dorms and the library and are available for students to use.  Treatment is most effective in the morning, and as close to daily as possible. Consistency is the key.”

However, Trapasso warned of some side effects. “Try to avoid using light therapy in the evening, as it can make it more difficult to fall asleep.  Most people feel an improvement after a few days of therapy.  Beyond light therapy the team at the LHWC is always ready to support students.  Feel free to talk with the medical team if you are struggling with sleep issues or the CAPS counselors if you are concerned about sadness, anxiety, issues with concentration, or if you have any concerns about your mood,” he said.

As Thanksgiving Break and final exams approach, sleep remains a key focus among the Exeter population. The effects of DST may have further stressed sleep schedules, so any students suffering from these should look into light therapy offered in their respective dorms and the library. Despite being sometimes unpleasant, DST and the early afternoon darkness that follows is fundamental to New Hampshire life and will only become more pronounced in winter term. While unable to change the solar cycle, Exeter students can maintain healthy routines made earlier this fall and use resources provided by the school to stay healthy during the winter.