The Trump administration is revisiting the idea of ending biannual clock changes, with a focus on making daylight saving time (DST) permanent. This move follows a recent decision by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which advanced legislation supporting permanent DST in a 48-1 vote. The proposal has garnered bipartisan support, aiming to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes.
Health Concerns Highlighted
While the prospect of extra daylight during winter evenings might seem appealing, health experts warn of potential disruptions to people’s natural circadian rhythms. Dr. Wendy Troxel, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND, expressed concerns about the scientific basis for this decision. She noted that while ending the biannual clock change is generally welcomed, permanent DST is not supported by science. Instead, evidence strongly favors permanent standard time, which aligns more closely with human circadian biology.
Major sleep medicine organizations, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, support adopting permanent standard time over DST. Troxel explained that standard time maintains the natural relationship between light, darkness, and our internal clocks. In contrast, permanent DST shifts an hour of morning sunlight to the evening, which could have significant health and safety costs.
Historical Context and Public Opinion
The U.S. previously attempted permanent DST in the early 1970s, but the plan was repealed due to public dissatisfaction with commuting in the dark and increased morning car crashes. Troxel highlighted that human circadian rhythms are primarily anchored by morning light, and under permanent DST, many would wake up before sunrise, causing a misalignment between the body’s internal clock and the external world.
Although the public often supports more daylight in winter evenings to alleviate conditions like seasonal depression, Troxel emphasized that morning light is crucial for regulating sleep, alertness, and mental health. In some areas, such as Utah, sunrise would occur as late as 9 a.m. during winter under permanent DST, potentially increasing rates of depression and seasonal mood challenges.
Supporters of permanent DST argue that later evening daylight could boost outdoor activities and consumer spending. However, Troxel warned that this shift could exacerbate issues like bedtime procrastination and sleep deprivation, particularly concerning for teenagers already facing a mental health crisis.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
