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The semi-annual ritual of shifting clocks forward and back under the banner of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is an outdated, disruptive, and increasingly unpopular practice. As the debate resurfaces with President-elect Donald Trump and key allies like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy signaling their intent to address it, there is a golden opportunity for the nation to permanently end this unnecessary disruption. While some advocate for permanent DST, the strongest case lies in adopting standard time year-round, a decision rooted in science, public health, and societal well-being.
The human body does not operate on a political or economic schedule; it relies on natural light to regulate its circadian rhythm. This internal clock governs sleep, alertness, and countless biological functions. Sleep experts and scientists overwhelmingly agree that standard time, not DST, aligns best with our biology.
Daylight Saving Time artificially extends evening daylight, forcing people to wake earlier relative to sunrise. The result? Disrupted sleep, chronic fatigue, and long-term health issues. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that clock changes exacerbate sleep deprivation, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and obesity. Permanent standard time eliminates these disruptions and allows the human body to function in harmony with natural sunlight.
The twice-yearly clock changes are more than just an inconvenience; they have measurable effects on public health. Research consistently shows that transitioning to DST causes spikes in:
Cardiovascular events: Heart attack rates rise significantly in the days following the spring forward.
Mental health issues: Depression and seasonal affective disorder are worsened by disrupted sleep and mismatched light exposure.
Accidents and fatalities: Sleep loss and grogginess lead to a spike in car crashes and workplace accidents immediately after clock changes.
Standard time keeps sunrise and sunset schedules consistent with the body’s natural expectations, improving mood, productivity, and overall mental well-being. Year-round standard time would reduce the chronic tiredness that millions of Americans unknowingly suffer under DST.
Proponents of permanent DST often claim it saves energy by extending daylight into the evening. However, modern research challenges this notion. A comprehensive Department of Energy study revealed that energy savings under DST are marginal at best—about 0.03% annually. Today’s society uses energy year-round for heating, cooling, and electronics regardless of daylight hours.
More importantly, the economic cost of clock changes far outweighs any minor energy benefit. The tiredness and sleep disruption caused by DST result in billions of dollars lost annually in reduced productivity, absenteeism, and health expenses. Workers and students perform worse when their sleep patterns are disrupted, contributing to inefficiency and error.
By switching to permanent standard time, businesses would benefit from a more rested, healthier workforce. The gains in productivity and the reduction in healthcare costs would be significant.
Permanent standard time would also improve public safety. Data shows that crime rates, particularly for violent crime and burglary, increase during the darker mornings of DST. Children traveling to school in pitch-dark conditions face increased risks, and workers are more vulnerable during their commutes. By aligning daylight with natural patterns under standard time, mornings remain brighter and safer for everyone.
In contrast, permanent DST artificially shifts sunlight to the evening, creating long, dark mornings for much of the year—particularly in winter. This not only endangers school children but also disrupts the critical first hours of the day when focus and mental alertness are most needed.
Public opinion clearly supports ending the clock changes. A 2021 AP-NORC poll revealed that 75% of Americans oppose the twice-annual switch. While there is some division over whether DST or standard time should prevail, science, public health, and long-term societal benefits make permanent standard time the clear choice.
Two states, Arizona and Hawaii, already operate under year-round standard time. Their residents enjoy consistency and fewer disruptions without the health and safety risks posed by DST. If they can thrive without shifting their clocks, so can the rest of the nation.
President-elect Trump’s commitment to ending the clock-changing chaos presents a rare opportunity to enact meaningful, nonpartisan reform. Lawmakers like Senator Marco Rubio, who has championed DST through the Sunshine Protection Act, should reconsider their priorities in light of scientific evidence. The Republican Party, now poised to lead on this issue, has the chance to prioritize public health, safety, and economic stability by endorsing permanent standard time.
The United States must break free from the antiquated notion that extending evening sunlight is worth sacrificing human well-being. We are not a society bound to 18th-century agricultural priorities; we are a modern nation whose success depends on its people being healthy, rested, and productive.
Ending the clock changes and adopting permanent standard time would be a victory for science, public health, and common sense. It is a chance to improve the lives of millions of Americans, reduce needless deaths, and restore harmony between our lives and the natural rhythms of the Earth. As President-elect Trump and lawmakers revisit this debate, the choice is clear: it’s time to stop changing the clocks and embrace year-round standard time.
