Get ready to spring forward. Daylight saving time is approaching this Sunday, causing the clock to jump ahead one hour at 2 a.m.
So it begins, the biannual trade between an hour of sleep and an hour of sunlight. Spring benefits from the latter as it sacrifices 60 minutes during the wee morning hours in order to gain more time with the sun each day until November.
The official term for this time change is “daylight saving time” — not “daylight savings” with an “S” at the end, contrary to popular belief.
The history of daylight saving time in the U.S. dates back to 1918. In order to conserve energy resources during World War I, the U.S. implemented the Standard Time Act, which became the first federal law to establish daylight saving time.
This was a temporary fix with inconsistent use that varied from state to state. It made a brief nationwide comeback in 1942 until 1945 for World War II, dubbed “War Time” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The modern, universal daylight saving that shifts the clocks twice per year was not mandated until the Uniform Time Act of 1966.
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Another myth surrounding this practice is that the time change was enacted to benefit farmers, but farmers and animals work off daylight. Changing the clocks negatively affects farming activities such as milking cows, feeding chickens and harvesting crops which need to follow a strict schedule in accordance with the sun — not the clock.
In 2018, nearly 60% of Californians voted in favor of a ballot measure authorizing California lawmakers to pass legislation on ending the time change. In spite of the majority vote, Congressional approval and a two-thirds vote in the state legislature is required to enact a permanent change. Until that happens, California will still observe the biannual time change like most other states. Hawaii and Arizona are the only two states that do not participate in this tradition.
Drivers are encouraged to be extra cautious on the road following the time jump in spring. The loss of one hour disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm which leads to an increased likelihood of automobile accidents due to drowsy driving, according to AAA.
“When we abruptly shift the clock forward, our bodies don’t immediately adjust,” said Dr. Jim Keany, Chief Medical Officer at Dignity Health St. Mary Hospital in Long Beach in a public statement. “Adults may notice grogginess, impaired reaction time, and increased stress. Children often show it differently — through irritability, difficulty waking up, trouble focusing in class, or changes in appetite and behavior.”
According to Dignity St. Mary Hospital, this biological impact is partially due to a delayed melatonin release caused by the extended evening light. Melatonin is the hormone that signals to your body that it’s time to sleep. This hormone will experience a delay due to the time change, but people will still have to wake up an hour earlier.
The hospital shared the following tips to prepare for the time change:
- Prioritize at least seven hours of sleep per night for adults, with age-appropriate sleep for infants, children, and adolescents.
- Maintain a consistent, calming bedtime routine. For children, familiar patterns such as bath, book, and quiet time provide cues that it’s time to wind down. Adults also benefit from predictable evening habits.
- Gradually shift bedtimes and wake times 15–30 minutes earlier for several days before daylight saving time begins.
- Get morning sunlight to help reset your and your family’s internal clocks.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol in the evening, as both can interfere with sleep quality.
- Avoid heavy meals and screen time close to bedtime, especially for children and teens.
