Even before moving back to the White House, soon-to-be president Donald Trump is already making waves with a few controversial suggestions. Earlier this month, Trump proposed in a social media post to eliminate Daylight Saving Time (DST),which he claims is inconvenient and costly to the nation.
Some people supported Trump's announcement while others, including his son, were opposed to it. But who is right? Apparently, the practice of advancing the clock greatly affects individuals and major industries alike, which means the Everygame poker community is affected by DST as well.
When did this peculiar practice start? And how might it affect poker players around the world? Let's review the issue and find out whether Trump's proposal will benefit online poker players or not.
A Bit of History: All About Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time is the practice of advancing the clocks by one hour in spring or late winter, to make the most of more light-filled hours during the long summer days. And when autumn comes back around, the clock is set an hour back, which means winter days have a limited number of sun-filled hours.
Apparently, this practice is observed only in 34% of the world's countries, as in some places sunrise and sunset times don't change all that much, eliminating the need for DST.
Adopting seasonal time changes can be traced back to Roman times, as even in ancient societies it was understood that you can make better use of daylight in the summer. However, the first actual proposal to change the clocks didn't come until 1895, and the first nationwide implementation of DST took place in 1916, used by the German and Austro-Hungarian empires.
Effects of Daylight Saving Time
Now that we know where it started, why is Daylight Saving Time so important? First of all, let's look at it from the economic point of view. When the sun rises and sets later, people are more encouraged to spend their time outdoors, which in the past had a major effect on the retail industry, as people shopped more when it was still light outside after working hours. However, now that online shopping is becoming more and more popular, this benefit might no longer be as pronounced as it was a decade ago.
In addition to that, switching to DST in the spring can also affect one's health. Studies have shown that moving the clock forward can disrupt our circadian rhythms, which can affect our appetite, mood, and sleep patterns.
The first couple of weeks after the time transition are especially hard, as the body needs time to adjust to the changing exposure to light throughout the day. As the mornings become darker when the clock advances in the spring, the decreased exposure to light also leads to less production of serotonin – the mood-boosting hormone. Therefore, people tend to be a bit moodier and grumpier at this time of year.
Moreover, the long days affect the production of melatonin, which is the hormone that helps you fall asleep. People can be groggier and more fatigued in the first few weeks after the time change, which has proven to lead to an increase in car accidents.
All of that means that the time changes can also affect your ability to play poker. If you spend less time at home, and when you do get to log into your online Eaverygame account you are tired and grumpy, you are bound to make bad decisions.
A Few Tips for Dealing With DST
So, what can you do about it? Here are a few tips you might find useful:
- Wait before you place bets – Let your body adjust to the changing times and the effects of DST on your body. Taking a short break from the game will prove useful in the long run, as you will be able to return to the tables more focused and refreshed than before.
- Alter your sleep patterns – About three days before DST is implemented, try to go to bed and wake up a bit earlier, so your body will have time to adjust to the earlier hours. That way, you will experience fewer adverse effects of DST, and you will be able to return to poker quickly.
- Get more sun exposure throughout the day – After the time change, try to spend 10-15 minutes in the morning sun to help your body produce more serotonin, so you will be able to approach poker with a better mood and a more relaxed state of mind.
In Conclusion
On November 2, 2024, daylight saving time has ended in the US and unless Trump's proposal is taken seriously, it will come back on March 9, 2025. Until then, make sure you know how to prepare for DST and keep playing poker without disruption!