Currently in the middle of April, the sun doesn’t set until 7:32 p.m. With daylight savings happening over a month ago, the effects are finally showing.
Though sunlight might feel insignificant—it can shape the trajectory of the day. Sunlight plays a direct role in the way people function and can shift their productivity with more time to spare.
Here lies the issue: nearly 5% of The United States population experiences Seasonal Affective Disorder annually. This results in depression, a lack of motivation, and can even lead to poor performance at school or work.
When we shift the clocks back in the fall, we are given an extra hour of sleep. More importantly we lose sunlight, which is considerably detrimental, as it plays a role in our mood and mental health.
We feel happier with more sunlight due to its boost in our brain’s production of serotonin—a hormone that improves mood and energy. This results in people having a happier lifestyle when the sun is shining.
Typically, when you walk out of school in the middle of December, the sun has already begun to set, leaving you believing the day is over. Now, school doesn’t feel like one part of our day anymore.
When the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. on a cold winter day, many people feel like the rest of their day is rushed. Especially as a student, school seems to be the only part of our lives in the winter.
However, in the spring when the sun stays up longer, people are relieved knowing that they can even take a walk or participate in an after school activity without it becoming dark. This also often makes it feel like there is something more than school or work in our lives.
The extra hour or two doesn’t actually give us a longer day, but it makes our time feel more usable.
We can now participate in outdoor sports extensively, hang out with friends outside after school, and even have more time to get things done without feeling like there is no time left in the day.
People not only gain this boost of energy, many act more productive after spring forward.
Spring forward doesn’t make us automatically more productive, but it causes productivity to feel easier and more exciting.
Getting things done after school doesn’t feel forced anymore, people actually want to engage in life because the day feels longer.
Although many of us were frustrated nearly a month ago from losing an hour of sleep, the results of more sunlight bring more positive energy overall to people.
A month into daylight savings, people are happier. Be sure to make the most of the extra sunlight!
