Additional Coverage:
Hold onto your hats, folks, because Daylight Saving Time is back, and while it promises longer evenings, it also brings a host of potential health headaches! This Sunday, March 8th, at 2 a.m., most of us will “spring forward” an hour, essentially sacrificing an hour of precious sleep.
The concept of Daylight Saving Time dates back over a century, originally intended to boost evening sunlight and save energy. It officially became a thing during World War I and, after some on-again, off-again years, was cemented as a legal requirement in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act. Since 2007, we’ve been following the current March to November schedule.
Despite various attempts by lawmakers to ditch or tweak it, the practice persists across most of the U.S., with Hawaii, most of Arizona, and a handful of U.S. territories being the notable exceptions.
So, what’s the big deal with losing an hour of sleep, and why do we keep doing it? Let’s dive in.
The Not-So-Sunny Side of Springing Forward
According to experts at Johns Hopkins University, this seemingly simple clock change can increase the risk of serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes. It can also trigger mood disturbances, lead to more hospital admissions, and ramp up inflammatory markers in response to stress.
And if that wasn’t enough, even our roads become more dangerous. A 2020 study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that the risk of fatal car accidents jumps by 6% after the switch.
Why all the drama over an hour? Johns Hopkins explains that sunlight is our body’s most powerful tool for synchronizing our circadian rhythms – our internal body clocks.
Adam P. Spira, a professor of mental health at the university, told the Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2023 that “We function best when our sleep-wake cycle follows the sun.”
He added that “In the spring, when we switch to daylight saving time, we increase the amount of light we’re exposed to in the evening hours,” making it harder to fall asleep at our usual time and cutting into our total sleep.
The Ripple Effect of Less Sleep
It’s no secret that a lack of sleep is bad news for our health. Johns Hopkins points to a decline in cardiovascular health, an increased risk of diabetes and obesity, poorer mental health, and reduced cognitive performance. Children heading to school in the dark, shift workers, and those living on the western edges of time zones are particularly vulnerable.
Why Are We Still Doing This, Anyway?
In recent years, politicians have repeatedly tried to change the Daylight Saving Time law. Back in 2018, then-Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) introduced a bill to make Daylight Saving Time the permanent standard, but it hasn’t passed despite multiple reintroductions.
More recently, Representative Greg Steube (R-Florida) introduced the Daylight Act of 2026 in February, which proposes moving U.S. time zones forward 30 minutes permanently.
Even former President Donald Trump has weighed in, noting in March 2025 that the issue is “50-50” with people wanting more light either later or earlier in the day. However, a month later, he took to X to “push hard for more daylight at the end of a day.”
Tips for a Smoother Transition
Since most of us are still stuck with the time change this Sunday, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers some advice to help ease the transition:
- Gradual Adjustment: Try shifting your bedtime 15 to 20 minutes earlier each night leading up to the change.
- Saturday Shift: Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday, March 7th, and then go to bed at your regular time.
- Embrace the Morning Sun: Head outside for some early morning sunlight on Sunday, March 8th, to help regulate your new morning routine.
Here’s hoping for a smooth “spring forward” for everyone!