What is Standard Time & What is Daylight Saving Time?

Why Do We Even Have Daylight Saving Time Today?

The United States first implemented Daylight Saving Time (DST) during World War I to support the war effort and save energy. The idea was that by shifting daylight into the evening hours, people would use less electricity, which was often generated by burning fuel, thereby conserving both electricity and fuel.

In 1918, Congress passed the Standard Time Act, which included the introduction of DST. However, after the war, many people opposed the law, and in 1919, Congress repealed it, much to President Wilson's displeasure.

Wilson supported DST, believing it gave people more leisure time in the evenings and helped conserve energy by making better use of natural daylight.

During World War II, President Roosevelt reinstated DST, calling it 'War Time,' and made it permanent for the duration of the war from 1942 to 1945. After the war, states were given the option to decide whether to observe DST. It wasn’t until 1966 that President Johnson passed a law standardizing it nationwide.

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which proposed making DST permanent. However, the bill stalled in the House of Representatives due to disagreements over whether to keep Standard Time or adopt permanent DST.

Now that Republicans control both chambers of Congress, they could revive the bill or introduce a new one.

Benefits of Standard Time Year-Round

Maintaining Standard Time year-round offers several benefits for health, safety, and overall well-being:

Supports Natural Sleep Cycles

Standard time follows the natural light-dark cycle, supporting the body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) and enhancing sleep quality and consistency.

Improves Physical Health

A stable sleep schedule and exposure to sunlight can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues, strengthen the immune system, and support overall physical health.

Boosts Mental Health

Exposure to morning sunlight stimulates serotonin production, enhancing mood, reducing stress, and promoting mental clarity throughout the day. {1}

Promotes Safety

Maintaining consistent sleep patterns and exposure to natural morning light helps reduce fatigue, enhancing safety on roads, in the workplace, and during activities that demand focus and alertness.

Aligns with Human Biology

Standard time mirrors the sun’s natural rise and fall, helping to balance hormones like melatonin and cortisol, which play a crucial role in sleep, energy, and overall health.

Keeping Daylight Saving Time year-round provides several benefits that can enhance health, productivity, and overall daily life.

More Evening Daylight

Longer evening daylight provides extra time for outdoor activities, exercise, and quality moments with family and friends after work or school. Additionally, those who identify as “night owls” often experience increased productivity with extended daylight hours.

Improves Mental Health

Additional evening sunlight can enhance mood and alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression by providing more exposure to natural light later in the day.

Increases Productivity

Extended evening daylight creates more opportunities to complete tasks, run errands, or engage in hobbies, resulting in a more productive and fulfilling day.

Reduces Energy Use

Extended evening daylight reduces reliance on artificial lighting, potentially lowering energy consumption and cutting electricity costs.

Promotes Evening Safety

Increased daylight during evening commutes or activities enhances visibility, which can help reduce accidents and improve safety.

Compare Year-Round Daylight Savings Time vs Standard Time

The chart below compares Daylight Saving Time (DST) and Standard Time in major U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Key times are highlighted to show how they can affect your daily life, beyond just your sleep schedule.

For instance, New Yorkers might not want the sunrise to occur at 4:25 a.m. during the summer on Standard Time. Likewise, they may not prefer a 8:16 a.m. sunrise in the winter under DST.

Conclusion

There are valid arguments both for and against each time system. From a sleep health standpoint, what we appreciate most is the national focus on sleep and its impact on physical and emotional well-being. Ultimately, consistency is crucial for adopting the healthiest and most life-sustaining habits, which is why we prefer no time switching.

The change does have a negative impact on our collective circadian rhythm. When it comes to the timing of sunrises and sunsets, opinions vary widely, and it’s understandable that the country is divided on the issue.