Daylight Saving Time Starting on March 9, 2025

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice where clocks are adjusted forward by one hour in the spring to extend evening daylight, and it began today, Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 AM local time. This blog provides a detailed exploration of what to know about “springing forward,” covering its timing, impacts, adjustment strategies, historical context, current debates, practical considerations, and interesting facts.

Timing and Mechanics of the Change

DST starts on the second Sunday of March each year, which this year is March 9, 2025. At 2:00 AM local time, clocks are set forward to 3:00 AM, effectively skipping one hour. This means that the period from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM does not occur, and individuals lose an hour of sleep. The change aligns with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which standardized DST to begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November, governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

This adjustment means sunrise and sunset times are about one hour later by the clock, providing more evening light but darker mornings.

Impacts on Daily Routines

The “spring forward” shift significantly affects daily routines, particularly sleep and scheduling. With clocks moving forward, the sun rises later, which can make morning commutes darker, especially for early workers and schoolchildren. Evening activities benefit from extended daylight, potentially encouraging outdoor recreation.

Health impacts are notable, with research indicating that the time change can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to shortened sleep duration, mood disturbances, and increased health risks. For instance, studies show a 30% increased risk for heart attacks and a 6% rise in fatal traffic accidents in the U.S. immediately following the spring forward, with the highest risk in the morning. Work-related safety critical events, such as near-misses and errors, also increase, highlighting the need for caution during this period.

Key Points

• Daylight Saving Time (DST) starts today, Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 AM local time, when clocks “spring forward” by one hour.
• Research suggests it aims to save energy and extend evening daylight, but the evidence leans toward mixed benefits and health impacts.
• It seems likely that the time change can disrupt sleep and routines, with tips like going to bed earlier helping adjustment.
• There’s ongoing debate about making DST permanent, with no final decision yet, reflecting diverse views on its effects.

When Does DST Start?

DST began earlier today, at 2:00 AM local time on Sunday, March 9, 2025. At that time, clocks were set forward by one hour, meaning the time jumped from 1:59 AM to 3:00 AM, effectively losing an hour of sleep.

How Does It Affect Us?

The time change means more evening daylight but darker mornings, which can affect work and school schedules. It may cause temporary fatigue and increase risks like heart attacks or car accidents, as studies show a 6% rise in fatal traffic accidents post-change.

Tips for Adjustment

To ease the transition, start going to bed 15-20 minutes earlier a few days before, get morning sunlight, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Avoid heavy tasks on the change day to manage potential drowsiness.

Health impacts are notable, with research indicating that the time change can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to shortened sleep duration, mood disturbances, and increased health risks. For instance, studies show a 30% increased risk for heart attacks and a 6% rise in fatal traffic accidents in the U.S. immediately following the spring forward, with the highest risk in the morning. Work-related safety critical events, such as near-misses and errors, also increase, highlighting the need for caution during this period.

Parents may need to adjust children’s bedtimes and wake-up times, while shift workers might face challenges aligning their schedules with the new time. Public transportation schedules typically adjust, but it’s wise to check for any temporary disruptions.

Strategies for Adjustment

Adjusting to the loss of an hour can be challenging, but several strategies can ease the transition:

• Prepare in Advance: Start going to bed 15-20 minutes earlier each night in the week before DST, as recommended by the CDC and Sleep Foundation. This gradual shift helps build a “sleep bank” to cope with the lost hour.
• Adjust Daily Routines: Shift the timing of meals, exercise, and other activities forward a few days prior to use time cues for aligning circadian rhythms.
• Morning Sunlight Exposure: Get outside for early morning sunlight on Sunday after the change, even near a window if it’s cold, as natural light strongly affects the body clock (supported by research at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31534436/).
• Maintain Sleep Hygiene: Keep the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet, and maintain a fixed sleep schedule. Limit caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, and go device-free 30 minutes before bed for better sleep quality (see https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment).
• Be Cautious: Avoid overloading your schedule on Sunday and Monday, schedule important events later in the week, and avoid long drives due to drowsy driving risks. Consider short naps under 20 minutes in the early afternoon to boost alertness, but avoid late naps to prevent sleep schedule misalignment (details at https://www.sleepfoundation.org/napping).
• For Employers: Raise awareness about DST health risks and consider reducing critical tasks to allow adjustment time, noting it can take up to a week for the body to adapt fully.

These tips, drawn from CDC blogs (https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2022/03/08/time-change/) and the Sleep Foundation (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/how-to-prepare-for-daylight-saving-time), aim to minimize disruption and support health during the transition.

• Key Citations
• Daylight Saving Time 2025 in the United States Time and Date
• 5 Tips to Help Your Body Adjust to the Time Change Almanac
• How to Prepare for the Start and End of Daylight Saving Time Sleep Foundation
• Here Comes the Sun! Tips to Adapt to Daylight Saving Time CDC Blogs
• Daylight saving time Wikipedia
• Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time? History
• Learn About Daylight Savings Time: History & Facts 2025 AARP
• 17 fascinating facts about daylight saving time USA Today
• Daylight saving time 2025 is starting: When do we ‘spring forward’ an hour? ABC News
• Daylight Saving Time 2025: Dates & Times Farmers’ Almanac

DST’s origins trace back to Benjamin Franklin’s 1784 satirical essay suggesting Parisians wake earlier to save on candles, though he didn’t propose clock changes. The first serious proposal came from New Zealand entomologist George Hudson in 1895, advocating for more daylight for bug hunting. Germany implemented DST in 1916 during World War I to conserve energy, and the U.S. followed in 1918, with the Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardizing it across states (except Hawaii and most of Arizona, which opted out).

The primary benefit is to extend evening daylight, potentially saving energy by reducing artificial lighting needs. However, debates persist, with some studies suggesting minimal energy savings and others noting increased evening economic activity, like retail sales, due to longer shopping hours. Health concerns, including disrupted sleep and increased accident risks, fuel ongoing controversy.

Current Debates and Proposed Changes

There is significant movement to end the twice-yearly clock changes, with the Sunshine Protection Act proposed multiple times in Congress to make DST permanent. The U.S. Senate passed it in 2022, but it stalled in the House, and as of 2025, no federal law has changed, so DST continues as is. At least 45 states have considered or passed legislation for permanent DST or standard time, but these require federal approval to enact. The medical community often argues for permanent standard time, citing better alignment with natural light for health, while proponents of permanent DST highlight benefits like reduced crime and economic boosts, though evidence is mixed.

Practical Considerations

Most modern devices, like smartphones and computers, adjust automatically to DST, but manual clocks need to be set forward by one hour. Check public transportation schedules for any adjustments, and note that some states, like Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii, do not observe DST, remaining on standard time year-round. For travelers, be aware of time zone differences and ensure devices are set correctly.

Interesting and Lesser-Known Facts

Here are some unexpected details about DST:

• It’s correctly called “Daylight Saving Time,” not “Daylight Savings Time,” reflecting the singular action of saving daylight.
• Benjamin Franklin’s credit is a myth; his essay was satirical, and the idea was seriously proposed later by George Hudson for bug hunting.
• DST was first adopted by Germany in 1916 during World War I, not for farming, contrary to popular belief—farmers actually opposed it.
• Health risks include a 6% increase in fatal traffic accidents post-spring forward, an unexpected impact on safety.

These facts, drawn from sources like AARP (https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-2022/daylight-saving-time-facts.html) and USA Today (https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2020/03/06/17-fascinating-facts-about-daylight-saving-time/111389460/), add depth to understanding DST’s quirks.