Once again, the ritual of returning to standard time is upon us. On Nov. 2, Floridians will dutifully turn clocks back one hour. What seems like a harmless calendar quirk has consequences far greater than many realize. Sleep scientists warn that biannual time shifts disrupt our biological rhythms, undermine health and cost society dearly.
When we “spring forward” in March, the nation’s collective sleep debt spikes. Even a one-hour shift has been linked to more accidents and heart attacks. A study of hospital admissions aross the state of Michigan found heart attack risk rises nearly 24% on the Monday after the spring transition. Strokes and mood disturbances also climb.
The fall transition feels easier — we “gain” an hour — but the disruption lingers. Circadian rhythms, governed by light exposure and melatonin, do not instantly reset. Fatigue, irritability and poor concentration often persist for days. For children and teens, the effects can be sharper, fueling attention problems and mood swings.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is not a law of nature. First adopted by Germany in 1916 to conserve coal during World War I, the U.S. followed but found the system unpopular. Congress repealed it in 1919, overriding President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. Farmers objected, noting that animals don’t adjust to human schedules.
DST resurfaced during World War II and the 1970s energy crisis, promoted as a way to save electricity. Yet evidence of energy savings has always been weak. A 2008 Department of Energy study found only modest reductions, while other analyses show DST may increase heating and air conditioning demand. What remains consistent is the harm to sleep.
Sleep is a biological necessity, not a luxury. Chronic disruption of circadian rhythms raises the risk of heart disease, metabolic disorders, obesity, depression and some cancers. RAND Corporation estimates insufficient sleep costs the U.S. economy up to $411 billion annually in lost productivity. Clock-changing is one sleep-disrupting factor we could eliminate immediately.
Medical organizations agree. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians and American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine all recommend ending seasonal time changes. Their solution: Adopt permanent standard time, which aligns best with human biology.
In 2018, Florida lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” calling for permanent DST. But federal law requires congressional approval. A national version passed the Senate in 2022, only to stall in the House.
The problem, sleep scientists argue, is that permanent DST would be just as harmful — if not worse — than the current system. Dark mornings would make it harder for children to get to school and for commuters to drive safely. Permanent standard time offers brighter mornings, healthier circadian alignment and more consistent sleep.
As we turn our clocks back this November, Floridians should recognize this ritual as more than a nuisance. It is a policy choice with consequences for our health, safety and economy. The science is clear: The costs of clock-changing outweigh any benefits.
It’s time to tell our legislators to end this failed experiment and embrace permanent standard time. Our health depends on it.
Bruce D. Forman is a Weston psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine. He is the author of the forthcoming book “For God’s Sake Go to Sleep: Insights About Sleep from Jewish Tradition & Modern Science.”
