As the United States prepares to “fall back” in November, a phenomenon known as “daylight saving scaries” has been affecting a significant portion of the population. A recent survey of 2,000 Americans, commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress and conducted by Talker Research, has revealed that 40% of respondents start feeling a sense of dread around October 23, which lasts until November 16. This dread accompanies the prospect of adjusting clocks and losing daylight. Surprisingly, a significant majority of 59% expressed a wish to eliminate the practice of switching to and from daylight saving time altogether.
Interestingly, the preference to abolish daylight saving time is more pronounced among older generations. According to the survey, 69% of baby boomers are keen on ending the biannual time change, compared to only half of the millennial respondents. The younger generation seems somewhat more adaptable to the changes, but there is still a notable desire to maintain a consistent time throughout the year. Only 35% of all respondents believe gaining an extra hour of sleep justifies the loss of daylight in the evenings, highlighting a general dissatisfaction with the current practice.
Impact on Productivity and Sleep
Beyond the emotional and psychological effects, the switch from daylight saving time has tangible impacts on work productivity and sleep quality. Among those surveyed who are employed, 43% identified the week following the end of daylight saving time as their least productive period of the year. This drop in productivity is significant and has real consequences for both employees and their employers. A further 31% of respondents admitted to making more mistakes during this time, underscoring the disruptive nature of the time change on cognitive functions.
Part of this decline in productivity can be attributed to disruptions in sleep patterns. The survey found that 21% of respondents reported a negative impact on their sleep quality immediately following the end of daylight saving time. Furthermore, 37% felt the need for additional sleep in the days that followed, indicating that the one-hour shift can have a ripple effect on the body’s internal clock. These disruptions contribute to a general sense of malaise and reduced effectiveness, particularly in professional settings.
The Role of Sunlight
As the United States gears up to “fall back” in November, many people are experiencing what’s being called “daylight saving scaries.” According to a recent survey commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress and conducted by Talker Research, 40% of the 2,000 Americans polled start feeling a sense of dread around October 23, continuing until November 16. This unease is tied to the idea of adjusting clocks and losing daylight. Surprisingly, a majority of 59% wish to do away with the practice of switching between standard and daylight saving time altogether.
Interestingly, this sentiment is stronger among older generations. The survey reveals that 69% of baby boomers support ending the biannual clock change, compared to half of the millennial respondents. While the younger generation appears more adaptable, there’s still significant interest in maintaining a consistent time year-round. Furthermore, only 35% of all respondents think that gaining an extra hour of sleep is worth the loss of evening daylight, highlighting dissatisfaction with the current system.