What time is it? Does anyone really know what time it is? Does anybody really care? I am filing this column late – or is it early? The clock on my wall says one thing, the watch on my wrist another, and the time on my laptop yet another. Needless to say, the switch over to daylight savings time is not sitting well with me at this moment. I know that once I adjust my clocks and my sleep cycle, I will love the extended daylight hours. But in the meantime I am completely off my game. It has been a few days since the switch over, but my body is still having a tough time adjusting. I don't know about you, but for me adjusting to "springing forward" is a lot harder than "falling back." And from what I've read, I'm not alone. Research has shown show that shifting the clock disrupts our sleep and reduces our productivity and efficiency. These effects can be quite severe for some and may last for days or weeks. The spring transition takes a greater toll than the fall change. In fact, a 2008 Swedish study found that heart attacks were significantly more common the first three days after the spring forward, and significantly less common the first weekday after the autumn transition. A 2009 U.S. study found that on Mondays after the switch to daylight savings time, workers sleep an average of forty minutes less, and are injured at work more often and more severely. In 2005, the country of Kazakhstan abolished daylight savings time due to all the health complications that occurred as a result. In spite of the toll daylight savings time takes on our bodies and health in the short term, there are good things that come from it. Who doesn't love the longer days? Longer days improve our health by getting us outside to exercise and play. Longer days reduce our energy usage and in many cities the incidents of violent crime are reduced when the days are longer. Daylight savings time is also good for many businesses. According to the Indianapolis Star, retailers, sporting goods makers and other businesses benefit from extra afternoon sunlight, as it induces customers to shop and to participate in afternoon sports. Outdoor recreational businesses such as golf courses really benefit from others like me who like to hit the links after work and still have enough light to find my ball in the woods (or take a lesson)! Hopefully by now you've begun to make the physical adjustment to the switch, your clocks and watches have all been changed and you are ready to enjoy these longer days. I'll be right there with you soon – after a little nap! Den Neuman is the director of the Target Technology Incubator at the University of Maine, and host of WVOM's "Back to Business." Send your feedback to dneuman@maine.edu or visit her website at www.bizbuzzradio.com