Clocks to go back one hour this weekend in Manitoba

A clock can be seen in this stock image. (Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com)

Manitobans will get some extra rest this weekend as we turn back our clocks one hour.

That’s because on Nov. 5, daylight time comes to an end and standard time returns until March 10.

The official time change back to central standard time takes place at 2 a.m. on Sunday when Manitobans should set back their clocks to 1 a.m.

A SOURCE OF DEBATE

The transition from standard to daylight time and back has become a point of debate over the years, with some arguing the ritual can have an impact on sleep schedules and health.

Currently in Canada, Yukon and most of Saskatchewan stay on the same time all year.

DEALING WITH THE CHANGE

Research shows that the time change can cause sleep deprivation, a disruption to the circadian rhythm and adverse health effects.

“We’re going to feel very tired. Certainly, with kids, they’re going to start waking up a little bit earlier on the clock than what we were used to,” said pediatric sleep consultant Joleen Dilk Salyn.

“So as adults, that’s going to affect our daily schedule.”

Dilk Salyn compared the feeling to jet lag, explaining that any big sleep disruption can throw off your body.

“You’re going to feel tired for about a week until the sun is resetting our internal system,” she said.

Dilk Salyn said that the time change is particularly difficult for children, who are very sensitive to sleep loss.

She added that kids reflect their loss of sleep in their behaviour.

“Kids will be more cranky, prone to meltdowns, temper tantrums,” she said.

“Even us as adults, we’ll see that too. We’ll get a little more emotional when we’re tired.”

To deal with the time change in advance, Dilk Salyn recommends moving your kids’ schedules forward.

“The trick with that though is that your whole schedule has to move, because we’re trying to move our whole circadian rhythm,” she explained.

“Their supper, their playtimes, everything has to move forward.”

Dilk Salyn also suggests keeping lights bright in the evening, and then keeping them dimmer in the morning.

“We really have to be careful on our light,” she said.

“If you’re trying to shift that body clock, you want to make sure the lights are nice and dark in the morning. Keep them bright and things stimulating in the evening as our body’s getting adjusted.”

- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.