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Daylight Saving Time

News

Alberta expected to make switch to daylight saving time permanent

by Rachel Morgan News Editor
written by Rachel Morgan News Editor

The Alberta government is expected to take formal steps this week to permanently adopt daylight saving time, ending the tradition of shifting clocks twice a year.

Government sources indicate that the move will be included in an omnibus bill scheduled to be tabled in the Alberta Legislature later this week. However, the legislation must still be voted on in the Legislature before it becomes law.

Premier Danielle Smith has stated in an interview with Postmedia that the spring transition was the final time clocks would be changed. This means clocks would not fall back an hour in the autumn, nor move ahead next spring.

Regional and National Time Alignments

If passed, Alberta would remain on the same time as Saskatchewan year-round. The province would also be one hour later than British Columbia, which made its own switch to permanent daylight saving time on March 8, 2026, via official action.

The shift would create varying offsets with other provinces. Alberta would be on the same time as Manitoba in the winter, but one hour behind during the summer.

Much of Ontario and Quebec would be one hour ahead in the winter and two hours ahead in the summer. Most Atlantic provinces would be two hours behind in winter and three hours back in the summer.

Did You Know? Alberta originally adopted daylight saving time in 1971 after a referendum where 61.5 per cent of voters supported the move.

Historical Context and Public Opinion

The current proposal follows a period of significant public and political debate. Five years ago, Albertans voted in a province-wide referendum to reject permanent daylight saving time by a narrow margin of 50.2 per cent to 49.8 per cent.

Despite that result, historical data shows strong support in other eras. A 1991 provincial government survey indicated that 91 per cent of surveyed Albertans favored the permanent switch.

Political efforts to change the system have been recurring. In 2017, the former NDP government explored removing daylight saving time but ultimately scrapped the plan due to concerns regarding NHL game start times and airline schedules.

Expert Insight: The tension between the 2019 referendum and the current legislative push highlights the challenge of balancing direct democratic results with perceived administrative or regional benefits. The previous 2017 hesitation over airline and sports schedules suggests that logistical synchronization remains a primary friction point in time-zone policy.

Global Trends and Potential Shifts

Alberta’s move reflects a broader global trend toward simplifying timekeeping. According to the Pew Research Center, only about one-third of the world’s countries observe daylight saving time, with the majority of those located in Europe.

Future alignments could shift further if other provinces follow suit. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has recently mused about the possibility of moving to a single clock year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the legislation be introduced?

The move to permanent daylight saving time is expected to be part of an omnibus bill tabled in the Alberta Legislature later this week.

Should Nintendo Make a Switch 2 Home Console?

Will clocks change this coming November?

According to Premier Danielle Smith, the clocks will not fall back an hour in the fall, provided the legislation is finalized.

Why did the 2017 attempt to end daylight saving time fail?

The former NDP government did not proceed with the change in part due to concerns about the impact on airline schedules and the starting times for NHL games.

Do you believe permanent daylight saving time is a practical solution for modern scheduling?

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Health

Youth mental health emergencies peak in April, Children’s Hospital Colorado says

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

The “Spring Spike”: Why Youth Mental Health Follows a Calendar

For years, pediatric mental health professionals have noticed a recurring phenomenon: as the flowers bloom and the weather warms, the number of adolescents in crisis often climbs. It is a counterintuitive trend, as we typically associate winter with depression. Though, the “Spring Spike” is a real and pressing issue, driven by a perfect storm of academic pressure, biological shifts, and social anxiety.

From Instagram — related to Spring, Health

From the crunch of AP exams and SATs to the high-stakes social environment of prom and graduation, the end of the school year creates a pressure cooker effect. When you add the disruption of Daylight Saving Time—which throws off a teenager’s already fragile circadian rhythm—it is easy to observe why many students hit a breaking point in April and May.

Did you recognize? Some research suggests that increased daylight and temperature can actually provide people with severe depression the physical energy needed to act on suicidal ideation, making spring a high-risk period despite the “cheery” weather.

Beyond the Crisis: The Shift Toward Predictive Care

The future of adolescent mental health is moving away from reactive “crisis management” and toward predictive intervention. Rather than waiting for a student to land in an emergency room in April, experts are advocating for a model of Seasonal Wellness Planning.

Imagine a world where a student’s mental health plan is as scheduled as their academic calendar. By identifying “trigger months” in January, parents and providers can implement supportive measures—such as adjusted workloads or increased therapy sessions—before the stress peaks.

AI and Data-Driven Intervention

We are seeing a rise in the use of data analytics to track mental health trends. By analyzing patterns in emergency department visits and outpatient calls, health systems can now predict when resources will be most strained. In the future, this could scale down to the individual level, where wearable tech monitors sleep patterns and heart rate variability to alert caregivers when a teen is sliding toward a burnout phase.

For more on how technology is shaping healthcare, explore our guide on the evolution of digital therapeutics.

Redesigning the School Day for Brain Health

One of the most significant drivers of spring distress is the clash between biological needs and institutional schedules. The “sleep debt” accumulated by teens is not just a matter of laziness; it is a biological misalignment.

Youth Mental Health Crisis

Future trends in education are leaning toward chronobiology—the study of internal biological clocks. There is a growing movement to push high school start times later to align with adolescent sleep cycles. When students are well-rested, their emotional regulation improves, making them less susceptible to the anxiety spikes seen during testing season.

Pro Tip: To combat the “Spring Slump,” encourage a “Digital Sunset.” Turn off all screens 60 minutes before bed to allow the brain to produce melatonin naturally, helping teens maintain a consistent sleep schedule despite the longer daylight hours.

The Rise of “Social Solidarity” in Learning

As academic competition intensifies, the traditional “lone wolf” study method is proving detrimental to mental health. We are seeing a trend toward collaborative resilience, where students prioritize social support over raw efficiency.

Studying in groups, even if it slows down the process, provides a vital emotional buffer. The feeling of “working in solidarity” reduces the isolation that often accompanies high-stakes testing. Schools that integrate peer-support networks into their academic framework are reporting lower levels of acute stress among their student bodies.

According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health, social connection is one of the strongest protective factors against adolescent depression.

Breaking the Silence: The Future of Family Communication

Perhaps the most critical trend is the shift in how parents discuss the “unthinkable.” There is a growing understanding that asking a child directly about suicide does not “plant the seed,” but rather provides a lifeline.

The future of family mental health lies in radical transparency. By normalizing conversations about failure, disappointment, and dark thoughts, parents can strip away the shame that often drives a crisis. The goal is to move from “Are you okay?” (which often triggers a reflexive “Yes”) to “I know this month is traditionally hard for you; how are we handling the pressure this year?”

FAQ: Understanding Seasonal Youth Mental Health

Why is April specifically a difficult month for teens?

It is a combination of peak academic stress (finals, standardized tests), social pressure (prom, transitions), and biological triggers like sleep disruption from Daylight Saving Time.

Can sleep really affect a teenager’s mood that drastically?

Yes. Sleep deprivation impairs the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and executive function, making it harder for teens to cope with stress.

What is the best way to support a struggling student in the spring?

Prioritize sleep hygiene, encourage group study to reduce isolation, and have open, direct conversations about their feelings before they reach a crisis point.

Is this pattern the same for adults?

Whereas adults also experience seasonal shifts, the triggers differ. Adults may face “seasonal disappointment” when they don’t feel better as winter ends, or experience increased symptoms of bipolar disorder due to longer days.

We want to hear from you: Have you noticed a seasonal pattern in your family’s stress levels? What strategies have worked for you to manage the “Spring Spike”? Share your experiences in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights into adolescent wellness.

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Health

Most of the world stopped Daylight Saving. Why not us?

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

The Global Shift Away From Clock Changes

Most of the World Has Abandoned Daylight Saving Time. Why Not Us?

“The world has moved away from it due to the fact that it is useless in many ways,” says New Mexico State University professor Jagdish Khubchandani.

As many nations reconsider the practice of “spring forward, fall back,” the United States finds itself increasingly out of step with global trends. According to a 2023 analysis, roughly one-third of countries still observe daylight saving time, a significant drop from almost half before 2023.

A Growing Consensus on the Downsides

Updated: 2:54 PM MDT Mar 9, 2026

The shift away from daylight saving time is driven by growing concerns about its impact on health, safety, and the economy. Experts, including Jagdish Khubchandani, professor of public health at New Mexico State University, point to disruptions in sleep schedules, increased risk of heart disease, and a potential rise in accidents as key drawbacks.

Khubchandani notes that the working class is particularly vulnerable to these effects, as they often face greater challenges in adjusting their routines and may have to compromise on sleep.

The trend is global. Over the past decade, Azerbaijan, Iran, Jordan, Namibia, Russia, Samoa, Syria, Turkey, Uruguay, and most of Mexico have all ended the practice. Within the U.S., Hawaii and Arizona already forgo the time change, as do several U.S. Territories.

“The world has moved away from this concept because it has been found to be useless in a number of ways,” Khubchandani stated. “If Asia and Africa have walked away from this practice, why are we still continuing with this?”

Even as there has been discussion at the federal level – including indications from former President Trump and subsequent reconsideration – a nationwide change has yet to materialize.

Khubchandani suggests proactive steps individuals can take to mitigate the effects of the time change: “Start your days early, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, exercise… people demand to start looking at calendars and adjusting their lives in a way that they won’t feel disruption.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is daylight saving time? It’s the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls later each day.
  • Why are some places abolishing it? Concerns about health, safety, and economic impacts are driving the change.
  • What are the health risks associated with daylight saving time? Disruptions to sleep schedules, increased risk of heart disease, and potential for more accidents.
  • What can I do to adjust to the time change? Prioritize sleep, maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and exercise.

Pro Tip: Adjust your sleep schedule gradually in the days leading up to the time change to minimize disruption.

Explore more articles on health and wellness here.

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News

The time change for daylight saving 2025 hits tonight. Here’s what to know when we spring forward.

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

What Lies Ahead for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight saving time (DST) has been a staple of modern life for over a century, impacting energy use, daily routines, and even health. As the world shifts towards sustainable living, the future of daylight saving time could evolve in several interesting ways.

Global Shifts and Energy Efficiency

In many European countries, daylight saving practices adjust biannually, moving an hour forward in spring and back in fall. This adjustment aims to maximize daylight during waking hours, theoretically saving energy. However, recent studies suggest that the energy savings are marginal at best. The European Union is contemplating a more unified and consistent approach to time changes, which could include reconsidering the practice altogether. For instance, a study published in Nature Communications evaluated energy consumption across Europe and suggested that abolishing DST could potentially lead to more consistent energy use and reduced carbon footprints.

Health Impacts and the Debate over Sleep

The health implications of DST are currently a hot topic. The transition to and from daylight saving time affects circadian rhythms, potentially leading to sleep deprivation and exacerbating conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Recent data from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine indicates that losing an hour of sleep, even temporarily, can elevate stress levels and increase cardiovascular risks. This has led some U.S. states to consider legislation allowing permanent standard time or daylight saving time to avoid biannual changes.

Technological Advances and Sleep Tracking

With the rise of wearable technology, people are becoming more aware of the importance of sleep health. Devices like the Fitbit and Apple Watch track sleep patterns and suggest adjustments to improve quality. Companies like Oura have also developed rings that monitor sleep cycles, offering insights that could mitigate the negative impacts of DST. This data-driven approach allows individuals to adjust their personal schedules in a way that aligns with their bodies’ natural rhythms, potentially reducing the adverse effects of sudden time changes.

Trends in Work Flexibility and Remote Work

The global shift toward remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is reshaping how we think about time. More flexible work schedules may render the rigid structure of DST less relevant. As companies adopt asynchronous work models, employees have the opportunity to start their day when they feel most productive, rather than conforming to traditional nine-to-five schedules. This adaptability could lessen the reliance on DST, as individuals tailor their waking hours to personal and geographical preferences.

Future of Daylight Saving Time

The future of daylight saving time is uncertain, with both advocates and opponents making their cases. Some suggest a more regional approach to time changes, allowing areas to decide based on their unique needs. For example, regions farther from the equator, where sunlight hours vary more dramatically across seasons, may benefit more from DST than those closer to the equator.

FAQs

  • Why do some regions not observe DST? Countries like Hawaii and most of Arizona, as well as several U.S. territories, do not observe DST for reasons ranging from geographical considerations—such as having consistent daylight hours year-round—to economic factors and cultural practices.
  • Could technology eliminate the need for DST? Technological advancements in workplace flexibility and personal health tracking are gradually reducing the impact of time changes. However, until these tools become universally adopted, DST will likely remain a fixed, albeit debated, aspect of modern life.
  • Has any country permanently abolished DST? Yes, several countries and regions, including most of Australia and most of Russia, have abandoned DST altogether after reviewing its impacts.

Engage with the Future

What do you think the future holds for daylight saving time? Do you prefer a uniform standard time, flexible schedules, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on how time shapes our lives.

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