It’s that time of year again—when we lose an hour of precious sleep and stumble around like zombies for a week, all because of Daylight Saving Time (DST). On March 10, we “spring forward,” meaning the sun sets later, but at the cost of an hour of sleep. Every year, people ask the same question: Why do we still do this to ourselves?
Some folks love the extra evening sunlight, while others just want to stop messing with the clocks. So, should we ditch the time change altogether? And if we do, should we keep Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time? Let’s break it down!
Why Did We Start Changing the Clocks Anyway?
Contrary to popular belief, farmers did NOT ask for this nonsense. In fact, many of them hated it! The idea of shifting the clocks started during World War I as a way to save energy by giving people more daylight in the evening. The U.S. made it official in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act, and we’ve been groaning about it ever since.
Pros and Cons of Ending the Time Change
The Pros of Sticking to One Time Year-Round
No more sleep disruption – No more losing an hour in March or gaining one in November (and somehow still feeling exhausted).
Health benefits – Studies show that heart attacks, strokes, and accidents spike after the time change—especially in March. Keeping the same time all year could help!
Less confusion – No more showing up an hour late or early because you forgot to change the clocks (sorry, old-school wall clock owners).
Happier pets & kids – Your dog won’t stare at you in betrayal when dinner is “late,” and parents won’t have to battle cranky kids with messed-up sleep schedules.
The Cons of Ditching the Time Change
Which time do we keep? That’s where the debate starts! More on that in a second.
Some businesses and industries benefit from DST – More daylight in the evening means more people shopping, eating out, and playing sports. Ending it could affect businesses that rely on evening crowds.
It’s all we’ve ever known – Some people just don’t like change (even if that change is stopping the change… you get the idea).
Daylight Saving Time vs. Standard Time: Which Should We Keep?
If we eliminate the time change, we have two options:
Keep Daylight Saving Time (DST) Forever
This means later sunsets year-round. In the summer, the sun sets even later (hello, 9 PM sunsets!), and in the winter, it would stay lighter in the evening, which many people love.
Pros:
- More daylight after work and school.
- People spend more time outdoors, boosting health and the economy.
- Fewer car accidents in the evening (because it’s still light outside).
Cons:
- In winter, the sun wouldn’t rise until after 8 AM in many places, meaning kids would be going to school in the dark.
- Some people struggle with waking up when it’s pitch black outside.
Fun fact: Congress tried making DST permanent in the 1970s, but people hated the dark mornings so much they reversed it.
Keep Standard Time Forever
This means lighter mornings year-round, but it gets darker earlier in the evening.
Pros:
- More natural alignment with the sun.
- Easier wake-ups in winter (since the sun rises earlier).
- Better for sleep health—our bodies naturally follow the sun’s cycle.
Cons:
- Darker evenings, meaning less time for outdoor fun after work/school.
- Some businesses (like restaurants and sports) could take a hit.
So, What’s the Best Choice?
Polls show most Americans want to stop changing the clocks, but they’re split on which time to keep. Permanent DST is more popular, but history shows people don’t love dark mornings.
For now, we’re stuck with springing forward and falling back—but who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll finally break up with our toxic relationship with the time change.
Until then, set your clocks ahead an hour on March 10, drink some extra coffee, and try not to be too grumpy.
