Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday
Most of America will set clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday as daylight saving time ends and standard time resumes. This adjustment marks the end of daylight saving, which began on March 9 this year.
Background of Daylight Saving Time
The practice of moving clocks forward in spring and back in fall started in 1918 to save fuel during World War I. Over time, public support for daylight saving has declined. According to a recent AP-NORC poll, 47% of adults oppose the current system.
Who Observes the Change
- All states except Arizona and Hawaii follow daylight saving time.
- These states will switch back to standard time on Sunday.
Tips to Ease the Transition
Kenneth Lee, neurologist and medical director of the University of Chicago Medicine’s Sleep Center, offers advice to make the change smoother:
- Begin moving bedtime 15 to 20 minutes earlier a few nights before Sunday.
- Change your clock on Saturday evening to get used to the new time.
- Adjust daily activities like meals and coffee timing to align with the new schedule.
- Avoid increasing caffeine intake, as it can disrupt sleep patterns.
Advice for Parents
Lee, a father of two young boys, recommends parents use the same gradual approach by adjusting clocks early and shifting their children’s bedtimes over several nights before the time change.
“People should begin pushing back their bedtime by 15 to 20 minutes a few nights before Sunday. They should also change their clock on Saturday evening, so that way you are acclimated to it.”
Author’s summary: Gradually shifting bedtime and adjusting clocks early can help individuals and families better adapt to the end of daylight saving time and minimize disruption to their sleep routines.