After more than a century, is it time to ditch springing forward and falling back — and finally “lock the clock”?
This week, the House of Representatives passed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which would make daylight saving time (DST) — the time we use in the summer — permanent, meaning no more twice-a-year clock changes.
Beyond doing away with the annoyance of reprogramming the time on your microwave every March and November, this would mean the sun rises one hour later in the winter — and sets one hour later in the evening.
Making DST permanent is something experts say will eliminate the harsh effects of sleep disruption associated with changing the clocks.
The bipartisan bill will now head to the Senate floor, where things look a bit more doubtful.
Senators including Tom Cotton of Arkansas point to 1974, when permanent daylight savings time was enacted. “Millions of Americans traveled to work and school in darkness. Commuter trains were delayed. Schoolchildren carried flashlights,” he said. “Tragically, some of these kids were struck by cars and killed while walking to school in the dark.”
But outspoken supporters of the bill, including President Trump, say permanent DST would do the opposite — prevent traffic accidents, while increasing productivity and even lower crime.
Daylight saving time does have huge effects on our bodies. Here’s what to know.
Clock changing sleep loss is hard on the body
Research from 2020 found that the fall-back hour was connected to a 6% increase in car wrecks overall with a 15% rise in freeway crashes, 9% of non-intersection crashes, 28% for nighttime crashes (28%) and single-vehicle crashes respectively, and crashes in urban areas also rose by 12%.
“The scientific evidence points to acute increases in adverse health consequences from changing the clocks, including in heart attack and stroke,” said Johns Hopkins sleep expert Adam Spira.
“The consequences of insufficient sleep include decreases in cardiovascular health, increases in diabetes and obesity, poorer mental health, lower cognitive performance, and an increase in the risk of motor vehicle accidents,” Spira added.
The change causes a disruption to our body’s circadian rhythm, which dictates sleep patterns in a 24-hour span. And being awake before the sun’s rise is no good for mental health.
“We don’t really know the specific reason for increases in heart disease and stroke during the daylight saving time change, but it likely has something to do with the disruption to the body’s internal clock, or its circadian rhythm,” said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, president of the American Heart Association.
When DST ends, SAD begins
The end of DST also marks the start of seasonal depression, medically referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It impacts up to 5% of the adult population while another 10-20% also suffer from mild winter blues, according to The Cleveland Clinic.
Symptoms of SAD, which typically show up in the fall and subside in the spring, include increased fatigue and low energy, loss of interest, low libido and hopelessness.
A lack of sunlight brought on by the time change is linked to a chemical shift in the brain, experts believe.
“Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone, also has been linked to SAD,” writes Johns Hopkins. “The body naturally makes more melatonin when it’s dark. So, when the days are shorter and darker, more melatonin is made.”
One surefire way to counteract SAD is to find ways to soak up the sun when you can, according to Johns Hopkins.
Taking vitamin D supplements, which our bodies produce when skin is exposed to sunlight, is another way to boost the mood-regulating hormone serotonin during months of overcast, the Mayo Clinic advises. Light therapy with UV lamps is another option.
These are some things to be aware of with daylight savings and the effects of SAD and the time change overall as colder weather approaches.
But is DST the one we should stick with?
Some research suggests that daylight saving time is actually worse for your body than standard time — and that if we were going to keep one permanent, it should be standard time.
Getting sunlight in the morning is important for maintaining circadian rhythms, regulating hormones and improving mood.
Some experts worry that if the sun is rising later in the winter, people may face issues with sleep, alertness and depression. That circadian disruption may also lead to higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
What is daylight saving time (DST) and why do we have it?
Daylight savings is the practice of setting clocks ahead during spring and summer to afford us more daylight hours.
Though not all societies choose to participate, a form of DST is seen throughout North America, Europe and some South American countries.
DST was adopted globally more than a century ago as a way to reduce daily energy use during the darkness of winter, as more sunlight during waking hours meant less need to burn down candles. Since then, several countries have dropped the habit in favor of year-round standard time, as many studies have shown the practice may be putting people at a detriment.
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