FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE NATION’S NEW ENERGY PLAN: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN?

National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and The Endeavor Center for Sleep Medicine Look Ahead to New Law Extending Daylight Saving Time

Mequon, WI 10/26/2005 – When the nation’s new energy plan goes into effect in 2007, one of the changes will be a four week extension of Daylight Saving Time. Currently, the one hour time change in most states begins the first Sunday in April and ends the last Sunday in October. Under the new law, DST will begin the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday of November.

As the new school year begins, parents and children are adjusting their sleep habits and establishing new daytime and nighttime routines. Many communities will be considering a change in high school start times, so that teens’ internal body clocks – and their need to sleep later and wake up later – will be in sync with the classroom clocks. And after school activities will soon be in full force. Although it is nearly two years away, parents of school children and others involved in school-related issues are wondering about the possible impact of the new law on school children and their sleep habits as well as various school-related initiatives.

The responses, to date, are mixed.

Some sleep experts are unsure whether the earlier return to DST will have a major negative effect on sleep or circadian rhythms. That’s the view of Mary Carskadon, PhD, of Brown University, a noted researcher on the sleep of children and adolescents. However, Dr. Carskadon did note that “springing forward” is difficult, in general, and the later sunrise will be quite noticeable, particularly in northwestern corners of time zones where the proposed move means that sunrise will occur about a half-hour later – moving close to 8:00 a.m. at the start – for an additional three week period in March. Sunlight or other bright light is important for stimulating alertness in both children and adults; the lack of sunlight, especially in the morning, can contribute to sleepiness or lethargy.

Other experts on sleep issues are concerned that the extension of Daylight Saving Time with its longer periods of later daylight hours could mean more voluntary sleep restriction for people of all ages. Again, geography can play a major role, since the more southerly latitudes see warmer weather that can contribute to outdoor light exposure. For school, children in particular, engaging in late day activities, particularly sports, could delay the needed winding down period before bedtime. Too many children and adolescents are already not getting sufficient sleep. NSF’s 2004 Sleep in America poll found that younger school children (grades 1-5) sleep about 9.5 hours a night, less than the recommended 10-11 hours. And while teens should be getting about 9.25 hours a night, studies show they sleep, on average, two hours less – 7.5 hours/night.

The DST extension could prove to be another barrier for communities interested in changing high school start times, according to some experts. For example, many school districts have limited buses; having high school students start classes later in the morning could mean that the younger children, who can adapt more easily to starting school earlier, will be standing in the dark for several more weeks than they do now, exacerbating a common situation that is already problematic.

The U.S. Department of Energy will review the new policy for nine months to see how much energy will be saved under the new DST extension. Depending on the Department’s findings, this part of the plan could revert back to the current timetable.

But in the meantime, NSF and The Endeavor Center for Sleep Medicine remind parents and their school children that when it comes to sleep, quantity and quality are as important as the clock. NSF and The Endeavor Center for Sleep Medicine say there is a fairly simple solution for school children to get the amount of sleep they need – they must go to sleep earlier and make time for sufficient sleep. Other important sleep tips to follow throughout the year include:

  • Make sufficient sleep a family priority. Every family member must make a good night’s sleep a regular part of his/her daily schedule.
  • Embrace good sleep habits that include a nightly routine such as 15-30 minutes of relaxing, quiet activities before bedtime. A quiet and comfortable bedroom, regular and appropriate bedtime and wake time.
  • Television sets and computers should be kept out of the bedroom.
  • Caffeine should be limited or avoided completely, especially from the late afternoon on.
  • Learn to recognize sleep problems in adults and children. Symptoms of common sleep problems include difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, snoring, having trouble breathing, and loud or heavy breathing while sleeping, as well as daytime sleepiness.

The National Sleep Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving public understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, and by supporting sleep-related education, research and advocacy. Visit us on the Web at www.sleepfoundation.org.

The Endeavor Center for Sleep Medicine is an NSF member, working with the Foundation throughout the year as a Community Sleep Awareness Partner.

Contact
Karen Block
Phone: 262-241-8022
Email: karenb@endeavortherapy.com