As clocks turn back on Sunday, it’s a chance to catch up on your sleep, experts say

Most Canadians will get an extra hour of sleep tonight as daylight time comes to an end and clocks turn back an hour.

And while some bemoan the loss of evening sunshine, experts say the end of daylight time may feel more welcome this year due to the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

University of Toronto psychology professor Steve Joordens reckons an extra hour of rest can’t hurt as Canadians brace for a winter of contagion-fuelled discontent.

But Wendy Hall, a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia’s school of nursing, says the “fall back” to standard time will only exacerbate sleep disruptions linked to the COVID-19 crisis. 

Yukon moved to permanent daylight time in March, and lawmakers in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario are considering measures to do away with the twice-yearly time change.

The time change takes effect tomorrow morning at 2 a.m.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2020.

The Canadian Press