Semi-annual rant: Be ready to lose an hour of sleep

State Sen. Tom Briese will be one of the most popular lawmakers among some of us if he is successful in his perennial quest to end the nonsense of daylight saving time.

This year’s bill, LB283, would adopt year-round daylight saving time in Nebraska, but don’t look for relief any time soon. It only goes into effect if the federal government allows states to do so, and at least two neighboring states also make the switch.

At last check, the bill is sitting on general file after consideration by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Briese points to “overwhelming” support from “farmers and everyone else in our state” who seem to hate the idea of changing their clocks twice a year.

Testifying against the proposal was the president of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, who said abandoning time changes would be disruptive to television and radio station schedules when setting start times for live events. We can’t imagine a weaker argument for avoiding the switch.

Especially when one considers study after study that finds increases in car accidents and workplace injuries as well as decreased worker productivity.

Nevertheless, DST will go into effect at 2 a.m. Sunday, and we should turn our safety antennas to full power in the week following.

Here’s some advice from Diane Becker of the League Association of Risk Management on dealing with your out-of-sync sleep pattern:

-- The Cleveland Clinic Academic Center advises people to start preparing for a change in their sleep patterns a couple of nights before DST. Go to bed 15-30 minutes earlier than your usual bedtime to make up for the lost hour after the night of DST’s start.

-- The time change can mean your morning commute now has a sun glare. Be extra alert when driving and watch out for others who aren’t used to looking around a windshield visor.

-- Set your alarm to wake up a little earlier than usual a couple of days before the switch, making it easier to get out of bed on Monday morning.

-- Eat a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning as food is a signal for your body that it is the start of the day.

-- Don’t schedule hazardous work for the days following the start of DST, but, if possible, plan for employees to do that work later in the week when they have time to catch up on their lost sleep and are used to their new sleep schedules.