Daylight Saving Time: Why It Should Be Abolished

Daylight Saving Time. Everybody knows that we spring forward or fall back. Sometimes we gain an hour of sleep or lose an hour. As far as we know, it apparently helps farmers with their crops so they have more time to grow and bring them to the market. It also saves energy, prevents traffic, and reduces crime. On the other hand, there are some negative effects, such as an increase in heart attacks, strokes, suicide. DST can fragment the circadian rhythm (aka sleep schedule). Daylight saving is actually just us setting our clocks and has no actual effect on the sun or the solar system. Essentially, daylight saving time is a perception. So, with daylight saving being something we can fully control, we can and should abolish it.

As mentioned, Daylight saving time can increase negative health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, suicide, and can fiddle with your circadian rhythm (aka; sleep schedule). According to the WebMD, “When daylight saving time ends again in the spring, we’ll lose an hour. That may not sound like much, but studies have linked it to higher rates of stroke, and a bump in heart attacks.” Even the slightest bit of time change can damage our bodies. Another study conducted by Joseph Fritz, a Circadian and Sleep Epidemiology scientist, who works in the Department of Integrative Physiology, at the University of Colorado “Interruptions to the circadian rhythm can also impair focus and judgment.” This shows that daylight savings time can affect our brain negatively, hence why it should be removed.

Daylight saving time was invented with the purpose of conserving energy and fuel during World War I and Germany was the first country to use it. According to NBC Chicago, “Energy savings is often cited as the main reason for daylight saving time. However, studies have shown that any energy saved due to a reduction in the use of light is offset by an increased use of air conditioning.” This proves that daylight saving time was invented to save energy. It was intended to make everything easier, but ended up just making us miserable and affecting our health.

In conclusion, Daylight saving time should be abolished because of its negative effects on people and many people dislike the practice. If we did abolish daylight saving time, we would definitely be better off, even if it does mean saving less energy. It is also unpleasant for many to have to wake up an hour earlier and head to work or school earlier. There would be less spikes in heart attacks and stroke, less car accidents, and less complications overall. Next time it gets dark at 5 o’clock, don’t come complaining to me.

Works Cited

 “How Daylight Saving Time Got Started.” NBC Chicago,

      www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/ how-daylight-saving-time-

      got-started/2666081/.

Kalter, Lindsay. “An Hour at What Cost? The Harmful Effects of Daylight Savings.”

       WebMD, www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20211105/harmful-effects-

       of-daylight-savings