It’s once again time to change your clocks as we spring forward to Daylight Saving Time (DST), set to commence on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 AM. This transition has sparked considerable discussion, especially within the psychology department at Camosun College, where students and instructors are examining its effects on health and well-being.
Michael Mochan, a psychology student at Camosun, noted the significant impact DST can have, explaining, "We’ve studied the deleterious effects of the time change for certain people who are more biologically sensitive to it. There are lots of studies demonstrating how it’s related to higher rates of car accidents, higher rates of seasonal affective disorder, and even poor grades, especially for those who identify as night owls." This perspective highlights the direct correlation between the time change and adverse health outcomes.
Adding to this conversation, Michael Pollock, the psychology instructor of the class, pointed out the unique vulnerability of students. He stated, "Their brains want to be night owls, stay up late, and so things like grades, mental health, possibly even substance abuse problems – all of those will be expected to go up." For students like Ella Sokolosky, the disruption to their established rhythms of studying and sleeping is palpable. "It is a little bit of a struggle because we get to our rhythms of studying and sleeping... and this can definitely disrupt the flow of things,” she expressed, emphasizing the personal toll of the time change.
Pollock advocates for scrapping the biannual time shift altogether: "It would be nice to get rid of the transition, but only if we go to standard time all year round. It’s the gold standard," he argues, pushing for approaches aligned with students’ natural sleep patterns.
Public sentiment seems to align with Pollock's views. A 2019 survey indicated overwhelming support among British Columbians to eliminate the time change, with 93% expressing their desire to end DST. Responding to this widespread concern, Premier David Eby commented recently on the potential for British Columbia to independently abolish DST, saying, "B.C. could choose to abolish the time change on its own." This suggests there may be political will to address these concerns directly.
While discussions evolve about the merits of continuing DST, safety is another pressing concern. Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work, expressed serious worries about the post-time change period. "It’s important to recognize... even a small amount of sleep loss can impair our judgment and reaction time, which is...critical when driving," he said, warning of heightened risks on the roads as many adjust to the new schedule. Hundreds of thousands of drivers will likely feel the effects of losing just one hour of sleep.
ICBC spokesperson Greg Harper added practical advice, saying, "A good plan is to go to bed early on Saturday and go to bed at your regular time on Sunday... you’ll be fresh, feeling alert, feeling good when behind the wheel.” This is especially pertinent as road safety advocates are bracing for the results from this annual time shift.
Contrasting the typical public concern, Ben Glassen, who runs a farm near Nanaimo, emphasizes the daylight advantage of the time change. For him, daylight hours are critically linked to agricultural productivity. “It is absolutely huge. We need to have 10 hours of light... right now is the time where everything turns on again, and for me, as grass farmer, the fields start greening up,” he explained. His connection to the natural rhythms of daylight renders him indifferent to the time change, reflecting the perspective of many farmers for whom agricultural tasks are driven more by light than by time on the clock.
“I don't wear a watch. I get stuff done when it gets done. A farmer's work is never done, so it doesn't matter to me either way,” Glassen quipped, summing up his thoughts on the matter. He humorously remarked upon the lack of concern from his livestock, adding, "The chickens and the pigs don't wear watches, so it's not relevant to them.”
The upcoming transition to Daylight Saving Time reminds us of the various perspectives on this twice-yearly clock-changing tradition. This year, as we prepare for the switch on March 9, the question remains whether this time-honored practice will continue or if momentum will build for change. Consistent discussions about its impacts on health, safety, and daily rhythms indicate we might be nearing a tipping point. For now, though, residents across Canada will adjust their clocks and, perhaps, brace for a bit of adjusted reality as the days grow longer once more.