Don't Sleep On It: Daylight Saving Time In MA Begins Sunday

MASSACHUSETTS — It’s time for Massachusetts residents to spring forward for daylight saving time.

Daylight saving time in 2023 begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, ushering in a brighter period of winter as spring approaches.

And when you go to turn your clocks ahead from 2 to 3 a.m., fire departments across the state are asking residents to use the occasion to test smoke and CO2 detectors, and change batteries if necessary.

"The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked," according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Daylight saving time means later sunsets and more time at the end of the day to enjoy outdoor activities. Only two states — Hawaii and most of Arizona — have opted out of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which mandated daylight saving time.

All that hinges on whether Congress approves and President Joe Biden signs the Sunshine Protection Act, which provides for year-round daylight saving time. The Senate passed it a year ago, and a similar resolution was introduced in the House, where some representatives argued for year-round standard time.

The measure didn’t make it out of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and with reshuffled leadership in that chamber, it remains unclear if Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the Washington state Republican who now chairs the committee, will bring up the Senate bill for debate.

Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Ed Markey has been a particularly big booster for ending daylight saving time, mainly due to its ties to energy efficiency. Although dark New England winters have also colored Markey's view.

"Studies have shown that year-round daylight saving time would improve our economy, alter our energy consumption, and enhance our physical and mental health. As the sun sets on our sunshine and we enter a long, dark winter, Congress has a chance to do something almost unheard of in the wake of a midterm election: pass bipartisan legislation. Now that the Senate has voted unanimously to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, I’m sending rays of support to the House to get this done so Americans don’t have to suffer in darkness," Markey said in November when daylight saving time ended — the good one, where we gain an hour of sleep.

Although “springing forward” is often associated with the beginning of spring, the vernal equinox doesn't occur until March 20. Pending federal legislation, daylight saving time ends this year on Nov. 5.

Daylight saving time has been around since World War I. But it became the law of the land more than 50 years ago with the Uniform Time Act of 1966, though the exact dates — now the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November — have changed some over the years.

Who really benefits from the time change?

Proponents may argue that longer evenings motivate people to get out of the house. The extra hour of daylight can be used for outdoor recreation such as golf, soccer, baseball, running and more. It also benefits the tourism industry.

However, critics say the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. The time change can mess with our body clocks and circadian rhythms, making for some restless nights and sleepy days. It also is difficult to quantify the economic cost of the collective tiredness caused by daylight saving time, but studies have found a decrease in productivity after the spring transition.

Tips To Help Adjust

So, what are the best ways to avoid sleep deprivation? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this already affects about one-third of adults in the United States. Here are some tips:

• You know it's coming. Go to bed an hour early Saturday, and make sure you get seven to eight hours of sleep.
• Get the kids to bed early, too. They pay more attention to their internal clocks than timepieces, so implement the routine Saturday night to help them adjust to the brighter-than-usual bedtime, so they'll be set up for a good night's sleep before school Monday.
• Be patient with the kids. They may throw temper tantrums or show signs of frustration, but it's usually short-lived. Adults can also be cranky during the first several days after the time switch. You'll get over it, too.
• New baby? Pretend nothing has changed. That means taking the baby outside, even if it's cold, to help the baby's internal clock adjust. Getting 30 minutes of sunlight first thing in the morning will help you, too.
• Limit your vices. That shot of booze may seem like a good idea, but it will fragment your sleep. And, of course, limit your caffeine intake in the late afternoon and evening. Chamomile tea or a glass of warm milk is a better choice.
• Don't eat a big meal right before bedtime, either.
• If you are using the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day for exercise, make sure your session ends at least three hours before bedtime, because the energy boost that exercise gives you can cause insomnia.
• Wind down with a relaxing activity, such as a warm bath or shower, gentle stretching, or yoga.
• Let the sun shine in. Experts say that pulling back the curtains and allowing the sun to shine in the windows in the morning improves alertness during the day. You're also more likely to feel sleepy when it is time to go to bed.
• Turn off the bright lights an hour or two before you go to bed — yes, even the television, your computer and other electronic devices. Read a relaxing book or listen to soothing music instead.
• Don't give in to the urge for a long nap. Take a brief power nap if you need, but longer naps will disrupt your sleep schedule and make it more difficult to adjust to daylight saving time.
• Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary — dark, quiet, well ventilated and at a slightly cooler temperature.