We’ll all be moving our clocks forward an hour before we go to bed this Saturday. Why’s that? Sunday, March 13th, 2016, marks the start of Daylight Saving Time. Our clocks will stay this way for nearly 8 months until we “fall back” on Sunday, November 6th, 2016. Have you ever wondered what this “changing of the clocks” is all about, and why much of the western world observes it, but other places do not? You’ve come to the right place – libraries always have answers for your questions!
If you’re like me, you’re bemoaning the start of Daylight Saving Time. Yes, the extra hours of daylight are nice – it gives us an opportunity to spend more time outdoors after being cooped up inside all day working. However, my body never adjusts well to the change. I always feel just a “little bit off” until Daylight Saving Time ends in the fall. I’m in the minority though, at least within my social circle, as pretty much everyone I know loves when we push the clocks forward in the spring. I can’t help but ask myself, is it really necessary though? Our days already get longer naturally after the Winter Solstice (the shortest period of daylight in the year) – we gain a couple minutes of sunlight every day until the Summer Solstice in June. After that, we begin to lose sunlight again until the Winter Solstice comes around again in December. Sounds confusing? I agree! The Earth’s natural cycle is complicated enough without adding a time change to the mix!
So why do we do it? Renowned inventor and Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin is credited with first suggesting that by changing the clocks, we could save candles (imagine living by candlelight!) The idea is that as the months grow warmer, we may want to spend more time outside, and make better use of the hours of daylight provided to us. Daylight Saving Time shifts that extra hour of daylight to the evening hours, when people can enjoy, or make use of, the sunlight after a hard day’s work.
Benefits of Daylight Saving Time include the shifting of the summer sun to the evening hours, as this is when it will likely be enjoyed more. We in Louisiana know that it’s too hot during the summer day to do much of anything, and that many people make use of that extra hour of sunlight in the evening to exercise, walk their dogs, garden, or even swim. People aren’t just using that extra hour outside – studies suggest that Daylight Saving Time is good for businesses, as people are more likely to venture out of their homes & spend money if they don’t have to do it in the dark. The number of fatal accidents also reduces because people are more likely to be driving while it is still day out. Lastly, if we are going to consider the environmental impact, Daylight Saving reduces the amount of electricity consumed by homes because people do not need to turn on their lights until a later hour. Sounds good, right? Daylight Saving Time is great until we consider the negative effects that the time change has on our health! Studies show that Daylight Saving Time interferes with our body’s natural circadian rhythm (this is what makes you naturally feel sleepy and awake). Perhaps that is why I dislike Daylight Saving Time so much! This interference of the circadian rhythm results in interrupted sleep patterns. And we all know that when we don’t get enough sleep, we tend to wake up on the “wrong side of the bed,” diminishing our well-being in general. Studies also suggest that there is an increase in heart attacks and work-related accidents after we “spring forward.”
So is Daylight Saving Time good for us? That’s up to you to decide. While some people want to do away with it completely, others say that we should “spring forward” for good, never changing our clocks back in the fall! It is interesting to note, however, that many countries don’t observe Daylight Saving (it is limited primarily to the United States, Canada, and most of Europe), and that two of our own states, don’t change their clocks either – Arizona & Hawaii. And, frankly, they seem quite content to keep it that way. The residents of these places don’t find it necessary or suited to their area’s climate or culture. I wonder if it is difficult for the non-observing world to keep up with our ever-changing clocks? As you move your clocks forward this weekend, I hope you have a better understanding of why we do it and others don’t. Pass on your newfound knowledge, and have a “sunny” spring and summer!