President-elect Donald Trump has promised to put an end to the twice-a-year clock changes that leave us groggy in the spring and wondering where the evening light went in the fall. But there’s a catch: If we’re going to stop changing the clocks, which time should we stick with? Should it be Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time? Each option has its pros and cons, and that’s where things get interesting.
Twice a year, like clockwork (pun intended), we all play a little game with time. We “spring forward” in March and “fall back” in November. If you’re like most people, you probably groan at the idea of losing an hour of sleep in the spring and maybe rejoice a bit in the fall when you get that hour back. But what if we just stopped all this clock-flipping madness for good?
Believe it or not, that’s exactly what’s being proposed. But here’s the twist: If we end the time changes, which time should we keep? Should we lock in Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time? Each option has its pros and cons, and that’s where things get interesting.
Let’s break it down and see which one might be best for you. Spoiler alert: By the end of this article, you might just have a strong opinion about it—and we’d love to hear it!
Option 1: Standard Time (A.K.A. “The Natural Choice”)
If you’re all about nature and your body’s natural rhythm, Standard Time might be your pick. Here’s why:
Pros of Standard Time:
- More Natural Light in the Morning: Imagine waking up to sunshine instead of darkness. Standard Time aligns more closely with the sun’s natural rise and fall, which means brighter mornings. If you’re a morning person (or just someone who has to be up early), this could be a big win.
- Healthier Sleep Cycles: Experts, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, argue that Standard Time is better for your health. It’s more in sync with our natural circadian rhythms, and who doesn’t want to feel well-rested?
- Consistency With the Rest of the World: Most countries stick to Standard Time year-round. So if you’re tired of trying to figure out international meeting times, this option would make life a little simpler.
Cons of Standard Time:
- Earlier Sunsets in the Summer: If you’re a fan of those long summer evenings with the sun still shining at 8:30 PM, Standard Time might feel like a letdown. Depending on where you live, the sun could set closer to 7:30 PM in the summer.
- Less Evening Fun Time: If you’re someone who likes to barbecue, go for evening walks, or hang out at the beach until sunset, Standard Time could cramp your style. Less sunlight in the evening means less time for after-work leisure.
Option 2: Daylight Saving Time (A.K.A. “The Summer Vibe Forever”)
Daylight Saving Time—that’s the one we “spring forward” into each March—has its own devoted fan club. People love the late sunsets and extra evening light. Here’s what’s in it for you:
Pros of Daylight Saving Time:
- Longer Evenings: This is the main draw. Sunsets at 8:30 PM in the summer? Yes, please! You get more time to enjoy life after work, whether it’s grilling out, playing sports, or just sitting on the porch soaking up the view.
- Potential Economic Boost: More daylight in the evening means more opportunities for people to shop, dine out, and engage in leisure activities—all of which can give local businesses a nice boost.
- Fewer Early-Morning Darkness Blues (Sort Of): In some places, especially farther north, the sun might rise after 8:00 AM during parts of the year if we stay on Daylight Saving Time. But if you’re not an early riser, maybe that’s not a big deal.
Cons of Daylight Saving Time:
- Dark Mornings: For a chunk of the year, you’d be waking up and heading to work or school in total darkness. If you’re not a fan of stumbling around in the dark with your coffee, this might be a dealbreaker.
- Sleep Disruption: While people love the evening sun, sleep experts aren’t big fans of Daylight Saving Time. It’s harder on your body’s internal clock, and some experts argue it’s linked to higher rates of heart attacks and strokes right after the time change.
- Could It Be Too Much of a Good Thing? There’s something to be said for balance. Maybe endless summer evenings sound fun at first, but having pitch-black mornings for several months a year could be a little depressing.
So, What Do YOU Think?
Here’s where you come in. Do you want endless summer evenings with later sunsets, or would you prefer sunlit mornings to help you wake up naturally? If you’re a night owl, you’re probably on Team Daylight Saving Time. If you’re a morning bird, you might prefer Team Standard Time.
It’s worth noting that Arizona and Hawaii already ditched this whole back-and-forth system. They’ve decided to stay on Standard Time year-round, and life goes on just fine there. Florida Senator Marco Rubio and even President-elect Donald Trump have suggested we should end the clock-changing ritual altogether. But what should we stick with once it’s gone?
There’s no right or wrong answer—just what works best for you, your lifestyle, and your sleep schedule.
Time to Weigh In!
Now it’s your turn. Which side are you on? Standard Time or Daylight Saving Time? Maybe you’re just here to say, “Let’s stop changing the clocks twice a year already!”
We want to hear from you. Drop a comment below and tell us your thoughts. Are you Team Standard or Team Daylight? Are you more concerned with early sunrises or those beautiful late sunsets?
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
Find more articles like this at steadfastandloyal.com.
Daylight savings time isn’t a law. Hawaii and Arizona don’t observe it.
I am all for DST year round.
My internal clock has a hard time adjusting to the latest change in Nov. I believe I am still having adjustment issues. As far as I am concerned, I will be happy with the way other countries are and Standard Time. If it gets changed, let it be Standard time.
If we could get other countries on board splitting it down the middle and changing it a half hour would be minimally disruptive.
One place already does that, New Delhi, India.
Stay on standard time
Standard time!!’
I think we should split it. Change the time by 30 minutes and leave it alone.
New Delhi, India
I’m a fan of DST but I’d settle for splitting the difference. DS and DST are a modern concept anyway. Then we can complain about time zones and jet lag.
Daylight Saving Time all year long! It brings a boost to the economy and our emotional and mental alertness by having extra daylight to enjoy family time.
I like Daylight Saving Time. I never feel awake with Standard Time! I am ready for bed by 7:00 during the winter . When it is light out later I feel alive again!
Morning person. easy answer
Standard time
Daylight savings time, which is also the Atlantic time zone.
It’s very relevant for all the reasons above.
Living in New England especially east of the Connecticut River, I’d be in favor of my section of New England switch to Atlantic time zone.
I think Standard Time would be best. It would align with the rest of the world and end the confusion of calculating time differences between countries. Also, sunshine in the early morning is great to see especially if you have to commute far to get to work.
So, someone who works nights but isn’t able to sleep during the day, for whatever reason, has to suffer? Been there, done that.
Daylight Savings always!
I’m 85 years old and hate changes. Stay on standard time.
Standard time is best. Get up with nature the way God intended.
I object to either of them! New Delhi, India has the right idea. While the rest of the world shows time as on the hour, they have their time as on the half hour and I will bet they never have to change their clocks at all. What we need to do is change our thinking about the time around the world. For instance, in the Spring, instead of setting our clocks 1 hour ahead. we move our clocks ahead 30 minutes and leave it there permanently. It is a happy medium and it will never get too dark too early year round.
STANDARD TIME is the norm for Mother Nature and our bodies. The more you work against Mother Nature, the more problems you encounter.
Daylight savings. I’m not a morning person.
I prefer Standard time. It’s brutal to drag myself our of bed in the dark to help my hubby get ready for work. But, in the long run, I’d just be delighted to not have to change time back and forth twice a year. That’s the most brutal thing of all.
Hybrid Time??
Definitely standard time – the pros of standard time are mostly health and safety related, (school and work travel) while the pros of savings time are related to leisure and amusement.
Just pick one or the other, I don’t care.
The definition of Standard hasn’t changed, has it? Let’s make standard ‘Standard.’
Daylight Savings Time or at least split if. Standard gets dark TOO
early.
I prefer standard time. I feel better when we are on standard time.
I would rather have Daylight Savings time.
Who wants to spend all day working and come home with little daylight left to spend outdoors. If you are in school or working inside who cares if it’s a little darker out. When you get home you want some sun and time to enjoy nature.
Standard time to stay in sync with most of the world. Point not mentioned: dark winter mornings with small children having to wait for the school bus. Additional point: if you work from home or at a company that allows flexible starting hours, just make arrangements. Forcing the time shifts on the public is irrational.
The current time zones are artificially shifted towards the eastern time zone. The actual eastern time zone should be a rather small slice of the east coast, mostly New England. Then central which is call eastern now. Too much concern about being the same as New York City.
Would prefer having more light at the end of the day. It’s so depressing when it gets dark at 5:00.
We all should stay with Standard time.
Standard Time!!
I don’t give a rats butt which one, park it and leave it!!!!!!
Standard Time
Daylight Savings Time for sure, more daylight is healthier. I wait for it all winter. Who wants to shorten their summer evenings when the weather you’ve been waiting for all winter finally arrives?
I’ll say standard time.
Standard time is the way to stay.
Standard time, of course. Especially if you live in the western portion of the time zones.
Here in Michigan (mid west) we’re somehow in the EASTERN time zone. Crazy!
Of course politicians want to keep DST. They are way east – sun comes up early for them.
Keep Standard, rather than insist on a longitudinal time-bump. Manipulating paperwork and timepieces are negative costs. If any organization believes they’ll benefit by a time-change, they merely need to change their opening and closing hours.
As to waking up in the dark under daylight savings for school or work ..…..with standard time it’s still dark at 7 in the morning any ways . Year round day light savings for me . Besides most do things after work , compared to before work
I like the seasonal changes with DST. Longer days in summer meant longer play time when I was a kid. Keeping DST in the winter is just simply dangerous. Nixon did it back in the 70’s and I had to walk in the pitch dark to school. Not good. No kid got hit by a car back then in my neighborhood but I considered it lucky.
I’m used to the time changes as I grew up with it. Am 68 now and I still like the seasonal change to DST. Kurt
DLS time. Like longer daylight.
Standard Time the way God intended it. If you want more daylight, get up earlier.
I vote for Daylight Saving Time. I don’t like the sun in my face in the morning when I’m trying to sleep. And, I enjoy watching the birds, ducks and vultures flying overhead spring, summer and fall.
Also, as bad as going out in the dark in the morning might seem inconvenient, I’ve done if for 68+ years and survived, even in the winter.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t they create DST so the Farmers would have an extra hour of daylight to either plant or reap their crops?
Doing away with DST will put the screws to the Farmers.
I vote for keeping standard time.
Stay on Standard Time.
There is no economic nor energetic benefit to Daylight Time. There are metabolic down sides to the Daylight Time. Go to Standard Time and stay there!
About a dozen countries use the half hour. Bhutan even uses 45 minutes. Split the difference for awhile and see how it goes.
Sprint forward and stay .
Cut the difference in halve and leave it.
I like have more sunshine in the evening so daylight saving time for me.
If it is an environmental, economic or naturalist issue is leans towards standard time.
If it is an environmental, economic or naturalist issue is leans towards standard time.
Standard time best balances light between am/pm. Clocks were modeled after the sun dial and were intended to show the position of the sun in the sky. Where noon = 12 pm = the sun at it’s highest point in the sky and the halfway point of light. Where midnight = 12am = the middle of the night or the center of darkness. Standard time closely resembles sundial time. AM/PM, noon, and midnight have meaning and our clocks should reflect those meanings.