Why Are We Choosing This Time?
Recently, our intrepid reporters at the Feline Desk at WMEO brought you the news that Congress has moved a bill one step closer to making Daylight Saving Time permanent. No more springing forward or falling backward. No more fussing with the clocks that refuse to update themselves (looking directly at you, stove and microwave).
But I have a question… why DST? Why not make standard time permanent instead?
I’m not the one who has to get up in the middle of “it’s still dark out” to go to work, but millions of people — and schoolchildren — would have to do exactly that. I remember growing up (pre‑1966, before DST was enacted) and getting ready for school in the dark. All I can say is: yuck.
What’s Science Say?
Sleep scientists say permanent Daylight Saving Time might actually be bad for our health. Less morning light means fewer benefits for our mood, energy, alertness, and productivity. And more daylight later in the day could negatively affect sleep — and most Americans aren’t exactly getting enough of that as it is. Permanent DST would only make that trend worse.
Fun fact: In the 1970s, former President Richard Nixon briefly instituted permanent DST. It didn’t go well. People weren’t thrilled about pitch‑dark mornings.
I don’t know how true all the claims are, but I do know I won’t miss “springing forward” every March. The older I get, the less “spring” I have — and the longer it takes me to adjust. And the cats don’t like it either.
Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time… honestly, it makes no difference to me. Let’s just pick one and keep it all year ’round. Neither springing nor falling is good for us senior types.
