By: Emory Waye, Contributing Writer
Feature Graphic by Emory Waye

Daylight Savings Time (DST) in the spring is a widely appreciated process in the United States. Many people love the extra sunlight that seems to lengthen their day and improve their moods overall. More daylight in the afternoon means people who work office jobs are not driving home in the dark, and kids coming home from school have several more hours to play outside. However, there are some people who would prefer to do away with time changes altogether, and simply live by Standard Time. You have probably heard people say that they hate DST  because it disrupts routine and causes them to lose an hour of sleep in the spring. They dislike seasonal time shifts and resetting their clocks. They don’t like the inconsistency of the schedule we are currently on and having to readjust twice a year. 

According to a Gallup poll taken from Jan. 21 to Jan. 27 of this year, 54% of Americans are ready to abandon the time change for good. About 24% of people in the United States opt to implement DST year-round.

DST was first implemented in 1918 as an energy-conserving measure for WWI. By having more daylight while people were awake and going about their day, more fuel and electricity were available for wartime needs. Besides this conservation effort, DST also contributes to people’s overall wellbeing. Generally, people feel worse in the winter, and this has been linked to a loss in daylight.

Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is characterized by low mood, lethargy, and loss of interest in activities during the fall and winter months. Even those who aren’t diagnosed with this disorder can experience some of the symptoms. Lack of sunlight can create a chemical imbalance. According to research from Harvard, sunlight stimulates the hypothalamus, which controls your circadian rhythm. A lack of sunlight can cause your brain to produce too much melatonin—the sleepy hormone—and release less serotonin—the happy hormone. Antidepressants and artificial light boxes have been proposed as a solution to this problem. 

In December 1974, President Nixon signed a bill to implement permanent DST in the United States for the next two years. In the weeks after, a rise in morning-time accidents occurred. Several children were hit by cars while on their way to school due to it being “jet black” outside. Some sustained injuries, and others tragically lost their lives. While pre-sunrise fatalities increased, accidents had fallen in the afternoons. 

“After doing some research, I am in favor of getting rid of Daylight Savings Time completely instead of keeping it year-round,” said junior Josie DiCapua. “I know it isn’t a fun answer, but I think it’s more important to have light in the mornings than the evenings. It really messes with our body’s circadian rhythms, and studies show that it doesn’t even do what it intended to in the first place, which is to save money by conserving electricity.”

While at first glance, it may seem appealing to have more sunlight time later in the day. However, the twice-a-year clock changes pose serious risks, such as an increase in accidents and health issues. A study has shown that there is a 24% increase in heart attacks the Monday after Americans lose an hour of sleep. It is also important to remember that the Sun naturally sets later in the summer months. Without implementing DST, Mobile would still see a sunset time of 7:55 p.m. in June as opposed to 8:55 p.m. with DST. 

More than ever, Americans are unsatisfied with the current system. In 1999, 73% were in favor of DST, while as of 2025, only 40% support it. While there are pros and cons to both year-round DST and year-round Standard Time, it is a complicated issue, and that makes it hard for any kind of changes to be made while still pleasing the American people.