Scrap Daylight Saving?

There exist numerous viewpoints both advocating for and opposing the discontinuation of daylight saving time.(Image credit: Carol Yepes via Getty Images)

Several nations put into practice daylight saving time (DST), where clocks are advanced by an hour in the month of March to take advantage of more daylight during the spring and summer months. In the U.S., all states except for Hawaii and Arizona (excluding Navajo Nation) recognize DST and, accordingly, are getting ready to revert to standard time on Sunday, Nov. 2.

However, not all individuals are content with this habitual change, as indicated by recent surveys revealing that 54% of Americans and 42% of Britons desire to eliminate DST entirely.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) supports the year-round implementation of standard time due to its improved synchronization with our circadian rhythm, which acts as the body’s biological clock. As light exposure governs the circadian rhythm, an incongruity between our internal clock and the external world could trigger problems such as diminished sleep duration, escalated heart rate and blood pressure, and debilitated immune response, as stated by AASM representatives in a position statement.

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In the previous month, we provided details on a study suggesting that discontinuing DST and maintaining standard time on a consistent basis could avert in excess of 2 million instances of obesity and around 300,000 stroke incidents per year within the U.S. by optimizing the synchronization of our circadian rhythm with the surrounding environment.

Conversely, other individuals imply that continuing DST provides some advantages. Current research, yet to undergo peer evaluation, examined 157 studies originating from 36 countries regarding the correlations between DST and health consequences and revealed indications of reduced mortality rates and fewer traffic mishaps during the summertime.

Therefore, assuming the decision rested with you, would you do away with daylight saving time? Participate in our survey and share your opinions concerning each time-related policy in the comment area below. Should you opt for “I’m undecided,” what particular factors could sway your stance either way?

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TOPICSdaylight saving time

Sophie BerdugoSocial Links NavigationStaff writer

Sophie is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science. She reports on a diverse array of subjects, having previously covered research ranging from bonobo communication practices to the initial discovery of water in the cosmos. Her articles have also been featured in publications such as New Scientist, The Observer, and BBC Wildlife, and she achieved recognition as a finalist for the Association of British Science Writers’ 2025 “Newcomer of the Year” honor for her independent contributions to New Scientist. Preceding her career as a science journalist, she successfully obtained a doctoral degree in evolutionary anthropology from the University of Oxford, dedicating four years to researching the factors behind the superior tool-utilization skills of certain chimpanzees compared to others.

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