Switching permanently to either standard time or daylight saving time would disadvantage either early risers or night owls, according to experts. The current system provides each group with benefits for half the year. Now, the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time is calling for change. The group contends abolishing seasonal time changes and adopting permanent standard time, follows science and prioritizes public health, safety and efficiency.
A survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) found that half (50%) of Americans support legislation to eliminate seasonal time changes, while only one-fourth (26%) are opposed. Currently, more than 60% of countries around the world follow standard time all year. Most of the United States shifts between standard time and daylight saving time each year.
“The switch to daylight saving time in the spring may seem harmless, but the reality is far more complicated," said Jay Pea, co-chair of the coalition and president of Save Standard Time. "It disrupts our body clocks, affects our sleep quality and increases risk of avoidable health and safety incidents, such as motor vehicle accidents, cardiovascular events, and even workplace errors in the days following the time change. Adopting permanent standard time, on the other hand, offers a better solution for year-round well-being.”
Data shows that the sudden change from standard time to daylight saving time in March is associated with significant public health and safety risks. Some studies suggest that the body clock does not adjust to daylight saving time even after a few months.
Why standard time may be the healthier choice
Standard time aligns more closely with our body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep-wake cycles. It offers more sunlight in the morning, helping people wake up and feel more alert, while the evenings gradually become dark earlier, signaling to our bodies that it's time to wind down. This natural alignment supports more restful and consistent sleep.
During daylight saving time, we tend to go to bed and fall asleep later at night, resulting in sleep loss. The spring and fall time changes also can disrupt our sleep schedule and have a negative effect on the quality of our sleep. The daylight saving time changes can be especially problematic for any populations that already experience chronic insufficient sleep or other sleep difficulties. Populations at greatest risk include teenagers, who tend to experience chronic sleep restriction during the school week, and night shift workers, who often struggle to sleep well during daytime hours.
The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that there are marked increases in heart attacks and strokes in the days following this time change every year. A study in Michigan found that hospital admissions across the state increased by 24% for heart attacks on the Monday following the switch to daylight saving time. In a separate study, researchers in Finland found that the overall rate of ischemic stroke was 8% higher during the first two days after a daylight saving time transition. In general, more serious heart attacks occur on Mondays than on any other day of the week, making the day after the time change even more worrisome.
“We don’t really know exactly why there is an increase in heart attacks and strokes during the change to daylight saving time. It’s likely connected with the disruption to the body's internal clock, or its circadian rhythm,” said Dr. Maria Delgado-Lelievre, who is with the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Florida.
Light and darkness are the most powerful timing cues for alertness and sleepiness in the human body. We are more alert in the daytime when there is bright sunlight, and we are sleepier at night when there is darkness. Our daily sleep/wake rhythm closely follows the 24-hour light/dark cycle.
“We know that the amount and the quality of sleep a person gets at any time of the year is essential to good health,” said Dr. Delgado-Lelievre. “In addition to increasing the risk for cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke, lack of sleep may also put people at risk of things like depression, cognitive decline and obesity.”
Economic impacts
The American Medical Association (AMA) supports ending daylight saving time and moving permanently to standard time. Virginia Tech economics expert Jadrian Wooten says the retail industry still seems to be the biggest advocate for daylight saving time.
“They argue that extended evening daylight encourages people to shop after work and boosts foot traffic. These benefits may not be as significant as they once were. With the increase in online shopping, extended daylight hours may not drive the same level of spending as they did in the past,” said Wooten.
Studies suggest that the energy saving benefit of daylight saving time is just a fraction of a percent. Wooten said given the disruptions to sleep patterns, health concerns, and even traffic accidents that come with the time change, many would argue that the energy savings simply aren’t enough to justify it anymore.
“People generally largely vote in favor of not changing clocks,” said Wooten. “I’d argue that the most compelling economic justification may actually lie in its mental health benefits from maintaining more ‘average’ sunrise and sunset times across the year. These benefits are less obvious than traditional metrics like spending, but they’re significant.”
John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.
