history of daylight savings

Learn the history of daylight savings time, its health impacts, and how the seasonal clock change affects our sleep and daily rhythms.

The end of daylight savings time in the fall, commonly known as “falling back,” involves setting clocks back one hour, giving people an extra hour of sleep. This practice originated with Benjamin Franklin’s suggestion in the 18th century to make better use of daylight, but it wasn’t formally adopted in the United States until World War I to conserve energy. The practice was standardized nationwide with the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Today, daylight savings time ends on the first Sunday of November. While many countries observe this shift, not all regions participate; for example, Arizona and Hawaii remain on standard time year-round due to their consistent sunlight patterns.

Beyond its historical roots, the time change has various impacts on our lives. Research indicates that gaining an extra hour of sleep in the fall can positively affect our health, as studies have shown a decrease in heart attacks following the fall time change. The shift also affects our circadian rhythms, which can lead to temporary changes in sleep patterns, mood, and energy levels. These seasonal shifts illustrate how timekeeping practices adapt to our environment and society’s needs

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