For Daylight Saving Time (DST), people across the United States moved their clocks forward by one hour this past Sunday, March 9, 2025. Even though this gives us extra daylight in the evening, it also means we slept an hour less. Many people notice this difference throughout the following week.

The initial purpose of Daylight Saving Time was to save energy and maximize the use of natural daylight. The concept is straightforward: individuals can enjoy more sunlight after work or school by shifting an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

According to defense.gov, it initially served to conserve fuel during World War I, which is when the custom began. Additionally, “It allowed for additional daylight hours to be added into the day to help save energy costs during World War I.”

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 created a uniform DST schedule for the entire nation. Hawaii and the majority of Arizona, however, do not observe the time change today because states were free to choose not to.

Although the time difference may not seem like much, it can have a significant impact on people’s daily routines and health. On the Monday following the change, many employees and students feel more tired and find it difficult to adapt to the new routine.

Research indicates a slight increase in job injuries and auto accidents in the days after DST. “Research released in 2009 demonstrated the Monday after the switch to Daylight Savings Time recorded a nearly six percent increase in the number of workplace injuries” stated forthepeople.com.

Whether Daylight Saving Time should be maintained has been a topic of discussion in recent years. Several lawmakers have suggested making “Daylight Saving Time” permanent, which would prevent us from ever “falling back” in November and maintain later sunsets throughout the year. This would help improve sleep scheduling and lower health risks, according to supporters.

The Sunshine Protection Act, which aimed to establish Daylight Saving Time permanently across the country, was passed by the U.S. Senate in 2022. But the bill hasn’t passed into law yet since it stalled in Congress. If approved, the United States would maintain later sunsets all year round and stop reversing the clocks twice a year.

Because winter mornings can be darker, some people think that maintaining standard time throughout the year would be healthier for our bodies.

Whether Daylight Saving Time should be maintained is an ongoing discussion. We’ll keep switching our clocks twice a year for the time being. Future generations, however, might not have to cope with the yearly time shift at all if talks continue.