Twice a year, Americans adjust their clocks, and their bodies may not like it. When daylight saving time ends, most people gain an extra hour of sleep, but experts say that the short-term benefit doesn’t outweigh the long-term effects on health.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have discussed the issue for years, introducing bills almost every session to either make daylight saving time permanent or end it altogether. Despite widespread support, none have passed in recent years due to disagreements over which time standard would be healthier and safer for the public.
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Health effects linked to the clock change
U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Penn., opened an April 2025 Senate Committee hearing titled “If I Could Turn Back Time: Should We Lock the Clock?” with research on studies that have noted issues with mood disturbances, increased hospital admissions and even heart attacks and strokes.
Research from Stanford University supports those findings. Their September 2025 report suggests that Americans would be healthier without daylight saving time, estimating it could prevent 300,000 strokes annually and reduce obesity cases by 2.6 million.
Dr. David Harkey shared during the committee hearing that vehicle occupant deaths fall 7% in the weeks immediately following the fall time change but rise up to 12% when clocks spring forward.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, cited findings from late afternoon golf leagues, which “account for up to 40% of the annual revenue of some courses, while a majority of golf instructors reported that nearly 50% of their lessons are taught after 4:00 p.m.”
Circadian rhythm disruption
Our bodies run on a natural 24-hour circadian rhythm that follows the cycle of light and dark. When daylight saving time begins or ends, even a one-hour shift acts like mini jet lag. It can throw off sleep cycles and raise stress in the body.
That’s why people often feel sluggish or irritable in the days after the switch. Over time, repeated disruption can compound sleep loss and strain overall health.
Efforts to make daylight saving time permanent aren’t new. The U.S. tried it in 1974, but it didn’t last long. Parents raised safety concerns about children going to school in the dark, and public support quickly faded.
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Daylight saving time is linked to lower worker productivity, with little sleep likely being the main culprit.
More recently, bills such as the Sunshine Protection Act stalled despite bipartisan support. Lawmakers can’t agree on whether to keep daylight saving time permanently or revert to standard time year-round. Public health experts largely prefer standard time, saying it aligns better with the body’s natural rhythms.
What people can do to adjust
Only two states don’t observe daylight saving time. In most of Arizona, an additional hour of daylight would mean energy consumption soaring in a hot and sunny state. Hawaii doesn’t observe the switch because of how close it is to the equator, meaning the state already gets enough sunlight throughout the day.
For everyone else, experts recommend a few ways to ease the transition.
Dr. Jamie Zeitzer of Stanford University told The Associated Press, “If you can, go outside. If not, try to be in a brightly lit room or sit by a window. This will help shift your clock faster in the fall.”
Sleep specialists also suggest adjusting your bedtime a few days early, keeping a consistent schedule, and getting daylight exposure in the morning. Exercising during the day and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed can help restore balance faster.
It can take a week or longer for the body to fully adjust. Prioritizing rest, staying hydrated and allowing time to recover can make the transition smoother.
Most Americans want to eliminate the switch
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 63% of Americans would prefer to eliminate daylight saving time entirely.
Until lawmakers decide whether to end or make permanent the biannual ritual, Americans will keep adjusting their clocks, including their internal ones, twice a year.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 2, with clocks rolling back at 2 a.m. local time.
