Sunday, March 13 is when we “spring forward” to mark the start of Daylight Saving Time in 2016. The notion behind Daylight Saving Time is to create longer evening hours. It also means mornings stay darker but with days getting longer as we approach the Summer Solstice, it all evens out eventually.
More than half of Americans (59%), though, believe Daylight Saving Time is a big waste of time, so says a survey from Wakefield Research for Hello, Inc., a San Francisco-based sleep technology company.
When we move our clocks forward on Sunday, it also means we lose an hour of sleep. Six in 10 Americans definitely feel the effects on their sleep habits, with 64% of women and 55% of men saying they feel less rested.
There are some real health and safety risks in the days after Daylight Saving Time starts:
- Traffic accidents rise 17% on the Monday after Daylight Saving Time begins.
- There is a 68% increase in lost working days due to workplace injury on the Monday following the switch.
- There is a noted spike in the risk of stroke and heart attack.
So that’s the bad news. The good news?
The weekend of Daylight Saving Time brings three opportunities for you to enjoy freebies. Note: one freebie is on Saturday, March 12 and the other two are on Sunday, March 13.
1. Caribou Coffee
As explained in this March Food Freebies story I wrote earlier this month, you can get a free coffee of the day (light or dark roast) at Caribou Coffee on Sunday, March 13, from 6-9 a.m.
2. Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is offering free health screenings to both members and the public on Saturday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all locations with a pharmacy. Some of the tests include cholesterol screening, blood pressure and body mass index, and are valued at $150,
3. Schlotzsky’s Deli
At participating co-branded Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon locations, you can choose from one of two freebies on Sunday, March 13 (offers vary by location):
- Free Minibon w/purchase of any sandwich (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Buy One, Get One Free Cinnabon Classic (all day)
Source: Parade