This weekend, most Americans will "spring" their clocks ahead by one hour on Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 a.m., to mark the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST). While many of us will enjoy the later daylight hours, it also means we lose an hour of precious sleep. 

The concept of DST began in the early 1900s, first implemented by Germany and Austria in 1918 during World War I, to conserve energy. This movement also established modern time zones throughout the U.S. While the practice ended after World War I, it was reintroduced during World War II to promote national security and fuel conservation. Following 1945, control of timekeeping returned to individual states, leading to two decades of logistical challenges for industries like airlines and media that rely on consistent scheduling. To resolve this, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which established the nationwide standard for DST that remains today.

And while past DST efforts have been used for practical reasons, these days, many would rather avoid the change. According to a study by The Associated Press, over 70% of Americans would prefer to stop changing their clocks altogether. Additionally, the AP reports that the days following the spring change are associated with an increase in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks, leading organizations like the American Medical Association to advocate for permanent standard time. 

Sleep, of course, is also affected. Our internal "circadian rhythm" acts as a conductor for our organ systems and is set by exposure to natural light and darkness. According to experts at Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences, disrupting this rhythm can cause the body to function less efficiently. 

Currently, only Arizona and Hawaii are on permanent standard time. In the last decade, 45 states, including Minnesota, have urged Congress to make DST permanent to eliminate the need for clock changes. Significant legislative efforts have been made, such as the Sunshine Protection Act, which passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in 2022 but failed to advance in the House. New versions of this act and a companion bill, H.R. 139, were introduced in early 2025 and referred to their respective committees, where no further action has taken place. 

(Oh, and don't forget to use DST as a reminder to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.)