Daylight Saving Time: Why Are We Still Doing This?
Twice a year, we all get thrown into the mess that is Daylight Saving Time (DST). Whether we're “springing forward” or “falling back,” it always catches me off guard. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but no. I’m never ready for the change and end up feeling groggy, out of sync, and wondering why my body can’t keep up. With DST starting March 9, making us move the clock forward one hour and lose sleep, it’s got me thinking about this twice-yearly ritual and whether it’s really worth all the hassle.
Daylight Saving Time began during World War I to save energy and make the workday longer by using more daylight. Germany first tried it in 1916, and other countries, including the U.S., followed soon after. It came back during World War II, and by 1966, it became a regular thing thanks to the Uniform Time Act. Today, DST starts on the second Sunday in March, when we move the clocks forward an hour, and ends on the first Sunday in November, when we fall back and gain that hour again.
DST has its good and bad sides. On the bright side, it gives us longer evenings with more sunlight, which can help businesses, get people outside more, and cut down on how much we use artificial lights. People like having extra daylight for things like hobbies, exercise, or just enjoying the sun. It can also make things safer by reducing accidents that happen in the dark.
On the downside, changing the clocks twice a year can mess up our sleep and throw off our body clocks. This can make us feel tired, less productive, and even affect our health, with more heart attacks and car accidents right after the time change. Some studies say any energy savings from less lighting might be canceled out by higher heating and cooling costs. And those early sunsets in the fall can really bring down your mood, making it feel like the day is over too soon.
Not every state participates in DST. Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii don’t change their clocks. Arizona’s scorching summers mean they prefer cooler evenings, so staying on standard time helps avoid having the sun out so late. Hawaii doesn’t do DST because it’s close to the equator, so their daylight hours don’t change much throughout the year.
There’s been a lot of talk about making DST permanent. The U.S. Senate even passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, which would have ended the clock changes, but it never made it through the House, so we’re still stuck with it.
As for me, I’m honestly not a fan. I like the long summer evenings,but losing that hour of sleep in the spring is brutal. And while gaining an hour in the fall is nice, the early sunsets make it feel like bedtime is at 6 p.m. It just doesn’t seem worth it. The back-and-forth feels outdated and unnecessary, and I’d rather stick to a consistent schedule all year long. The thought of never having to adjust my clocks again sounds like a win to me.
So, what do you think—should we keep Daylight Saving Time or end it?
