Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of The Federalist, and comedian Joe Machi advocate for the permanence of daylight saving time. Davis humorously dismisses mornings as ‘stupid,’ favoring afternoon sunlight when most people are awake. Machi underscores the safety and enjoyment children experience when evenings are brighter during after-school activities.
Research suggests that increased daylight exposure may help individuals fall asleep earlier and achieve deeper sleep. A study from the University of Manchester discovered that adults exposed to brighter, consistent daytime light fall asleep earlier, wake up earlier, and experience deeper sleep. The data, published in NPJ Biological Timing and Sleep, spans over 500 days involving 89 adults who used light sensors and sleep trackers.
Doctors indicate that forgotten habits can combat stress, obesity, and chronic disease.
Participants with more daytime light exposure generally fell asleep and woke earlier compared to those with less light exposure. Consistent daylight led to healthier sleep patterns and more deep sleep early in the night.
Jennifer Martin, Ph.D., aligns this finding with existing knowledge regarding light’s impact on the body’s clock. She notes, “Light impacts human sleep starting with the eye.” When light reaches specific retinal cells, it signals the brain that it is daytime, promoting alertness. Morning light plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable sleep-wake cycle.
Martin recommends spending mornings outside to harness sunlight’s benefits. Regular exposure to morning light fosters consistent sleepiness at night and strengthens sleep routines. Avoiding bright evening light further enhances sleep quality.
She advises limiting exposure to bright light before bed and keeping a consistent wake-up schedule. Variations greater than an hour can resemble ‘jet lag’ and disrupt healthy sleep.
Experts recommend adults aim for seven hours of sleep nightly, seeking specialist help for chronic issues.
Despite the promising findings, the study faces limitations. It associates daytime light with sleep patterns without proving causation. Measurements used wrist devices instead of more directly at the eyes, not accounting for activities or meal timing that impact sleep.
Fox News Digital reached out to study researchers for further comment.
Kelly McGreal, a production assistant at Fox News Digital, contributed information to this article.
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