Should We Get Rid of Daylight Savings Time?

Daylight savings time— you either love it or you hate it. Whether you spring forward or fall back, it may seem like you’re feeling the effects for weeks after. And then by the time you’re finally used to it, it’s time to change the clocks again!

I’ve written before about how to prepare for daylight savings time, but what if I told you that you may need to worry about that anymore?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether or not we should get rid of daylight savings time. I was even asked about it last week by one of my readers! 

The US Senate is currently working to pass a bill putting an end to the seasonal time changes once and for all. Those of you who hate daylight savings time are probably rejoicing by now— but you may not want to celebrate just yet. There’s a lot more to this than you may think!

The Daylight Savings Time Debate

There’s been a lot of debate on whether or not we should still be observing daylight savings time. As a whole, daylight savings time is overwhelmingly unpopular and inconvenient. Those who believe DST should be permanently removed believe it would not only be less annoying because you wouldn’t have to change your clocks anymore, but it’s better for your sleep health and your overall health.

People who support keeping DST state that it’s beneficial because you wouldn’t be spending as much time in the dark, and can be safer and more active.

While no one really wants to keep switching their clocks, there is another interesting point of debate to consider. Do we switch to permanent daylight savings time or permanent standard time? There is a difference between the two— I’ll get more into this later.

So before we get too far into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a look at the proposed bill that would put an end to all these time changes.

What is the Sunshine Protection Act?

The United States Senate recently passed legislation that would end daylight savings time— or rather, make it permanent and turn it into the new standard time. Called the Sunshine Protection Act, this measure would make daylight savings time permanent and end all the clock-switching once and for all.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio— the bill’s main sponsor— states that the bill would enable children to play outdoors later into the day, and help reduce the seasonal depression commonly brought on by the darker days of the year.

Unsurprisingly, the Senate voted unanimously in favor of the bill. But if you remember anything from Schoolhouse Rock, this bill still has a way to go before it can become law. It has to get approval from the House of Representatives and the president before it becomes the law of the land.

And if it becomes law, it won’t go into effect until November of 2023.

But you may be wondering— if so many people are cheering the end of daylight savings time, why do we have it in the first place?

Why Do We Have Daylight Savings Time?

Daylight Savings Time was invented in New Zealand in 1895. However, it was actually first used in Thunder Bay, Canada in 1908 as a way to save energy and make as much use of the daylight hours as possible. Of course, given the time period, this was a time when people relied a lot more on natural light because electricity and artificial lighting were not as widespread as they are now.

The United States first observed daylight savings time in 1918 following World War I. Then, it was called “Fast Time,” and it was in effect for less than a year. It wouldn’t be reintroduced until the 1940s during World War II, where it was called “War Time.”

The US didn’t have any set rules for DST until 1966 when the Uniform Time Act was passed. Once the Uniform Time Act was passed, it eliminated a lot of confusion around the time changes and created a set schedule to keep the entire country in sync with each time change.

Who Benefits from Daylight Savings Time?

Back when DST was first implemented, it was first proposed as a way to save energy. Nowadays, at best DST saves a negligible amount of energy. Sometimes it doesn’t save energy at all. 

In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to use more energy at home during DST! This isn’t great for your energy bill, and it’s not great for your sleep either. Too much electric light can ruin your sleep, even beyond the usual daze you may feel after the time change.

Daylight savings time may have also been a way to help farmers make more use of the daylight. However, many farmers work from sunrise to sunset, regardless of what the clock says. If that’s the case, then it’s really not helping farmers much at all.

Nowadays, daylight savings time seems like it’s outdated and unhelpful. But should we get rid of it?

Should We Get Rid of Daylight Savings Time?

Absolutely yes! In my opinion, this is long overdue. However, rather than implementing permanent daylight saving time like the Sunshine Protection Act aims for, I think we should adopt permanent standard time.

And I’m not the only one who thinks this way! The American Academy of Sleep Medicine— plus 20 other organizations— are all in favor of ending daylight savings time for good and adopting permanent standard time. This isn’t just picking one time over the other though— there are some very important reasons why we should be following permanent standard time.

Permanent Daylight Savings Time vs. Permanent Standard Time

There may not seem like a huge difference between the two times, but permanent standard time is actually more in line with your circadian rhythm. Your body is just designed to run better on standard time.

Daylight savings doesn’t actually save light or energy— it just borrows them from the morning. Unfortunately, this morning light is some of the most necessary for maintaining your natural biological rhythms.

There’s a reason why so many people feel exhausted and out of sorts after time changes— they’re not good for your sleep health! More specifically, they’re not consistent with your circadian rhythm. And when you fight your circadian rhythm, your sleep and your overall health suffer.

Daylight Savings Time and Your Health

The shift from standard time to daylight saving time in March— springing forward— has been associated with many public health and safety risks, including:

• Increased risk of mood disorders like depression and anxiety
• Increased risk of heart problems
• Increased risk of car accidents— particularly in the mornings
• Circadian rhythm abnormalities

In fact, there’s evidence that your body does not actually adjust to daylight savings time following the time change. This can result in permanent discrepancies between your internal clock and the environmental clock. This can cause sleep delays and can put you at higher risk of the many health problems that come with sleep deprivation— which many people feel after the time change!

Another major pro of getting rid of DST is simply that you don’t need to mess with your clocks twice a year anymore. That’s a relatively small advantage, but let’s face it— who actually likes resetting all their clocks twice a year?

The Cons of Getting Rid of Daylight Savings Time

While support for the removal of DST has been overwhelmingly positive, there are still opponents to this measure. These opponents primarily cite the fact that during standard time, people generally wake up while it’s still dark. By extension, they have to commute to work or school while it’s still dark outside— which can be a safety concern.

One opponent of the Sunshine Protection Act, The National Association of Convenience Stores, states that “we should not have kids going to school in the dark.”

Others may cite economic reasons, or that daylight savings time may help promote a more active lifestyle because there is more sunlight. But do you know what else promotes a healthy lifestyle? Having a healthy circadian rhythm, and getting enough sleep!

The Time Has Come— No More Daylight Savings Time!

I think it’s time to say good night to daylight savings time, and good morning to permanent standard time. Not only would it do away with those annoying time changes, but it would be healthier!

But I will give the bill’s opponents this— I agree that you shouldn’t wake up in darkness. Light is medicine, and getting natural sunlight first thing in the morning helps you start your day off right. If you wake up in the dark hours of the morning though, I recommend using specialty light bulbs or lamps that mimic the sun’s natural light. Circadian Optics has some great options.

So if you’re tired of springing forward, falling back, and losing sleep over both, this is exciting news! Not only should we get rid of daylight savings time— I think it’s long overdue.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD, FAASM

The Sleep Doctor

The post Should We Get Rid of Daylight Savings Time? appeared first on The Sleep Doctor.

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