The bright side and the dark side of permanent daylight time in Manitoba

by Cheryl Dizon-Reynante

Since I was a kid, “falling back” an hour in the autumn and “springing forward” an hour in the spring were normal parts of the year. As the winter months approached and the days had less sunlight, it felt like a treat to have another hour of sleep! And by the time we got to spring and lost an hour of sleep, I felt that the sunnier mornings made it easier anyway.

In more recent years, I would feel more tired for a few days after the clocks changed. It was more difficult for me to adjust physically and mentally. But at the same time, I also appreciated the benefits of sunnier mornings and longer evenings.

So, when the government announced that Manitoba is officially ending the twice-a-year clock change and transition to permanent Central Daylight Time, I had mixed thoughts and feelings. The decision came after an overwhelming 92 per cent of surveyed Manitobans voiced their desire to scrap the seasonal time shifts. This has become a hot topic in news and social media platforms with differing opinions from the public and various experts.

Here is what you need to know about how this change could impact your daily life.

The bright side: the benefits of permanent daylight time

The most obvious positive impact is that we will finally eliminate the disruptive “clock shock.” No more resetting the wall clocks, no more confused pets wondering why dinner is late, and no more overtired kids struggling to adjust to a new routine.

Beyond convenience, stopping the clock changes could be a major win for health and safety. Studies have consistently shown that the days immediately following a time change see a spike in workplace injuries, traffic accidents, and even heart attacks due to sudden sleep deprivation. Permanent time creates stability.

Additionally, keeping daylight time through the winter means we get brighter afternoons and evenings. Instead of the sun setting painfully early in December, we will enjoy an extra hour of late-day light. This boost in evening brightness makes the drive home from work safer, gives kids a bit more daylight for outdoor play after school, and provides a welcome psychological lift during our long winter months.

The dark side: the challenges to consider

While brighter winter evenings sound ideal, they come at a steep cost: much darker winter mornings. Because we are staying on daylight time, the sun will rise an hour later during the deepest part of winter. For many Manitobans, this means commuting to work and sending children off to school in pitch darkness.

This shift also goes against what many sleep experts recommend. While the public overwhelmingly prefers daylight time for the evening light, biological scientists argue that morning sunlight is actually better for our health. Our internal body clocks rely on those first rays of light to wake up and feel alert. Without it, we may find ourselves struggling to get out of bed, which can impact productivity and long-term sleep quality, especially for teenagers, whose natural sleep cycles already run late.

Tips and strategies: optimizing your health when daylight is short

To counteract the lack of morning sun and to keep your circadian rhythm on track, health and sleep experts recommend adopting a few simple routines:

• Invest in a wake-up light:A sunrise simulation alarm clock gradually brightens your bedroom before you wake up. This mimics a natural sunrise, signalling your brain to stop producing melatonin and helping you wake up feeling less groggy.
• Seek out early artificial light:As soon as you get out of bed, turn on bright overhead lights. If you struggle with winter blues or severe morning sluggishness, sitting in front of a seasonal affective disorder (SAD) light therapy box for 20 to 30 minutes each morning can do wonders for your mood and energy.
• Keep a strict sleep schedule:With brighter winter evenings, it might be tempting to stay up later. Resist the urge. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, keeps your internal biological clock stable.
• Block evening light:Because daylight will last longer into the afternoon, use dim lighting in your home during the evening and turn off digital screens an hour before bed to help your body wind down naturally.

A new routine for Manitoba

While Manitobans will have to adjust to some very dark winter mornings, taking active control of our indoor lighting can bridge the gap. Many will find this transition a small price to pay to never have to lose an hour of sleep on a Sunday in March ever again. As we move into the fall season, let’s look at the bright side and look forward to a more consistent, predictable, and brighter future.

Cheryl Dizon-Reynante is a licensed therapist with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

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