It’s that time again—when many Americans reset their clocks as daylight saving time ends. This weekend, at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, most folks will “fall back” one hour. This change means lighter mornings but darker evenings.
Only Hawaii and Arizona don’t observe daylight saving time. Interestingly, the Navajo Nation in Arizona does follow it. Other U.S. territories like Guam and Puerto Rico also stick to standard time throughout the year.
There’s growing interest in making daylight saving time permanent. Recent surveys reveal that only 12% of Americans support the current setup, while 56% prefer more light in the evenings, according to an AP-NORC poll. Many states are pushing for changes, with 19 having proposed legislation for year-round daylight saving time. But for those changes to happen, Congress must act, as federal law currently restricts it.
Experts have weighed in on this issue. Sleep specialists warn that changing the clock can disrupt sleep patterns. Professor of sleep science, Dr. Ryan McGowan, states, “The time change can lead to sleep loss and increased health risks.” Research shows that the spring forward may lead to more heart attacks and accidents. An alarming study indicated a 24% rise in heart attacks the Monday following the clock change.
On the political front, former President Trump urged Congress to make daylight saving time permanent, suggesting it could eliminate the biannual time adjustments. The Sunshine Protection Act, proposed by Senator Rick Scott of Florida, aims to do just that. The bill even gained bipartisan support. However, resistance remains—Senator Tom Cotton argues permanent daylight saving time would harm morning sunlight exposure, essential for our well-being.
This ongoing debate highlights a clear divide in public opinion and legislative hurdles. As we adapt to the time change this weekend, many of us will be reflecting on whether we really need to go through this twice a year. For some, an hour lost is an unnecessary complication.
For more on the daylight saving time debate, check out the National Conference of State Legislatures here and the AP-NORC poll findings here.
