As Catholics, we recognize that rest is a sacred gift from God, essential for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Yet, twice a year, we are faced with the disruptive reality of Daylight Saving Time (DST), a system that many experts argue is outdated and even harmful to our health. As we prepare to “spring forward” on Sunday, March 9, it is worth considering how this seasonal shift impacts our lives and whether it aligns with God’s design for human rest and flourishing.
The Impact of Lost Sleep
Scripture tells us that “in vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat: when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber” (Psalm 127:2). Yet, losing just one hour of sleep due to DST can cause significant disruption to our internal clocks.
“We have this central clock in our brain, in the hypothalamus. It keeps our internal biological processes synchronized to the outside world,” said Matthew Lehrer, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, he explains that our internal clock “is unable to adjust quickly to a large shift, which is what happens during the twice-annual time change. Most people take three to seven days to fully adjust, though those with more rigid internal clocks may take longer.”
As Catholics, we are called to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The disruption of sleep due to DST has been linked to serious health concerns, including cardiovascular issues, weakened immune function, and increased risk of accidents.
Health Risks and Ethical Concerns
Dr. Mallory Ciuksza, an internal medicine doctor at St. Clair Health, called DST “an antiquated system.” She added, “Medically speaking, we do have data that it causes significant health outcomes that aren’t beneficial” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Indeed, studies have shown that the transition into DST leads to a 24% rise in heart attacks on the Monday following the shift, as well as an increased risk of strokes and fatal car accidents. “Car accidents increase by about 6% in the week after the time change, resulting in more fatal crashes,” said Kristina Lenker, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the Penn State College of Medicine (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). These risks raise important moral questions about whether the practice of DST serves the common good or unnecessarily endangers lives.
The Call to True Self-Care
In our Catholic tradition, true self-care extends beyond indulgence; it is about responsible stewardship of the body and soul. Dr. Ciuksza reminds us that real self-care is not about superficial comforts but about making wise choices that promote long-term well-being. “It’s more the stuff that you don’t want to do for the first 10 minutes, like going for a walk, going to bed early, doing your exercise, reducing your caffeine consumption,” she explained (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
Good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screens before bed and engaging in regular physical activity, is vital to mitigating the negative effects of DST. Even a short evening walk or a few minutes of prayerful meditation can help reset the body’s internal clock and ease the transition.
A Time for Reflection and Advocacy
From a Catholic perspective, DST invites us to reflect on the importance of maintaining a rhythm of life that respects God’s natural order. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that rest is necessary to honor both our physical health and our spiritual well-being (CCC 2184-2185). The push for permanent Standard Time—favored by many medical professionals—may be more in harmony with our God-given circadian rhythms.
“The evidence is clear that permanent Standard Time is healthier. Humans require adequate morning light so that our internal biological rhythms synchronize properly to the local time,” said Lehrer (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). This highlights the importance of natural light in maintaining mental and physical health, particularly for adolescents and young adults, who already struggle with later sleep tendencies.
As Catholics, we are called to advocate for policies that uphold the dignity of the human person and promote the common good. If DST is indeed causing harm to millions, perhaps it is time for faithful voices to join the conversation about its long-term viability.
Conclusion: Seeking God’s Order in Time
Time is a gift from God, and how we manage it should reflect His wisdom. While the debate over DST continues, we can take practical steps to guard our health and well-being: prioritizing rest, maintaining good sleep habits, and advocating for changes that align with human dignity and the natural rhythms of creation.
In the end, our goal is not simply to make it through another time change but to live in harmony with God’s order—where our work, rest, and prayerful reflection each find their proper place. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
