When Does The Clock Change Back? The Great Daylight Saving Time Debate
Ugh, it's getting dark early again! You know what that means: daylight saving time is over, and we're about to "fall back". But when exactly does that happen? I mean, I'm not a time-traveler, but it seems like every year I'm caught off guard.
In the United States, the clocks change back to standard time on the first Sunday of November. So, mark your calendars for November 5th, 2023 (and set those alarms, because you'll be getting an extra hour of sleep!).
But wait, why do we even do this? Daylight saving time, or DST, was originally implemented to save energy by shifting the clock forward an hour during the summer months. The idea was that people would be using less electricity if they had more daylight hours.
However, over time, the effectiveness of DST has been called into question. Studies have shown that the energy savings, if any, are minimal. And there are even some downsides:
- Disruption to sleep schedules: Our bodies are naturally programmed to follow the sun's cycle, so changing the clocks can mess with our internal clocks and make us feel tired and sluggish.
- Increased risk of accidents: Some studies have suggested that the change in daylight hours can lead to more car accidents.
- Confusion and inconvenience: Let's face it, changing the clocks is just a pain. It throws off our schedules and makes it harder to coordinate with people in other time zones.
So, the question remains: should we even be changing the clocks anymore? There's a growing movement to abolish DST, and some states have already passed legislation to do so. Only time will tell if this antiquated practice will finally be put to rest.
For now, just remember: on November 5th, 2023, set your clocks back one hour. And maybe take advantage of that extra hour of sleep – you'll need it for all the holiday shopping ahead!