This Sunday, March 9, marks the start of Daylight Saving Time in many regions across the U.S. At 2 a.m. local standard time, clocks will “spring forward” by one hour, moving to 3 a.m. This annual shift means we lose an hour of sleep but gain longer daylight hours, especially in the evening.
Why do we change the time?
The concept of Daylight Saving Time dates back to World War I, when it was introduced to conserve energy. By shifting the clocks, people would use more natural daylight during the evening hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Though its energy-saving benefits have been debated, the practice continues to be used in many countries today.
The shift in time is also meant to encourage outdoor activities and maximize daylight during the longer days of spring and summer. While some people appreciate the extended daylight, others find the adjustment challenging, especially when it comes to losing an hour of sleep.
Adjusting to the change
While most digital devices automatically adjust the time, it’s important to manually change clocks in places like microwaves, older appliances, and wall clocks. It can take a few days to adjust, so it’s recommended to ease into the time change by going to bed a bit earlier on Sunday night.
So, don’t forget: Set your clocks forward one hour this Sunday, and embrace the longer days ahead.
