Why We Change Our Clocks: A Simple look at Daylight Saving Time

It’s that time of year again. Most of us in the U. S. will be setting our clocks back by an hour this Sunday morning. This happen every November, bringing an extra hour of sleep and earlier sunsets. But why do we do it? Let's dive into the history and impact of daylight saving time. Daylight saving time starts in March and ends in November. Each year, we gain an hour and lose an hour as we "spring forward" and "fall back". It’s all about making the most of daylight. The U. S. has been doing this since 1918, when the Standard Time Act was passed. The idea was to push back sunset by an hour during the long summer days. The U. S. isn’t alone in this practice. Most countries observe some form of daylight saving time, though not all follow the same schedule. Notably, Hawaii and most of Arizona don't change their clocks.

The big question is: should we continue this tradition? Some people think it's a good idea to have permanent daylight saving time, but health experts have their concerns. They worry about the mismatch between our clocks and solar time, which could lead to health issues. In 2022, the U. S. Senate passed a bill to make daylight saving time permanent. But it’s still waiting approval from the House of Representatives. Many states have shown interest in keeping daylight saving time year-round, but they need federal law to change first. So, while we might enjoy the extra hour this Sunday, it's also a good time to think about whether this tradition is really worth it.

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