The Economics of Sleep
Time Zones, Daylight Saving and Schedules
Clocks and time zones influence sleep, and debates continue about daylight saving and school and work start times.
How society sets the clock.
Time zones
People at the western edge of a zone get less morning light relative to the clock, and studies link this to less sleep.
Daylight saving
Shifting clocks may disturb sleep and offers small energy savings at best.
School start times
Later starts for teenagers improve sleep and, in some studies, performance.
India
India uses one time zone, though some argue for a separate zone for the northeast.
The northeast clock
Dawn comes early in Assam, but offices follow Delhi's clock, so days end up misaligned.
Ignoring how clocks shape sleep
Schedules matter.
Key takeaways
- Time zones affect sleep.
- Daylight saving disturbs some.
- Later school starts may help.
- India has one time zone.
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