Clinical Perspectives on Time Changes: Sleep Experts Discuss Health Impacts and Solutions

In this roundtable discussion, sleep experts Seema Khosla, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Jennifer Martin, PhD, and Karin Johnson, MD, examined the impact of daylight saving time on patients with sleep disorders. They highlighted how the time change often exacerbates sleep difficulties, leading to increased complaints of delayed sleep onset, daytime fatigue, and disrupted sleep patterns. Certain populations are more vulnerable to these effects because of rigid schedules and heightened sensitivity to circadian misalignment. To mitigate these disruptions, clinicians recommended gradual adjustments to sleep schedules, consistent wake times, and strategic light exposure. The discussion also considered whether eliminating the time change would benefit public health.