Twice a year, the clock change sneaks up on us, bringing groggy mornings for some and an extra hour of rest for others. As the second DST switch of 2025 approaches, the debate continues: Is it a helpful tradition or an outdated hassle?
About Daylight Saving Time (DST)Upcoming DST Switches in 2025
Back or forth?
Millions adjust their clocks for Daylight Saving Time—but it’s easy to forget which way they should move.
To make it simple, just remember this simple phrase: spring forward, fall back. In other words, you set the clock ahead in spring when DST begins, and back in fall when it ends.
Ongoing DST Debate
Daylight Saving Time remains unpopular, sparking frequent political debate on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the US, public support is low—just 33% of Americans see its purpose, according to a 2014 Rasmussen poll . Since 2015, hundreds of bills and acts and resolutions and documents have been filed in state houses across the USA to end or reform DST, but federal law blocks permanent adoption without congressional approval. Even President Donald Trump once called it “inconvenient and very costly.”
In the EU, the European Parliament voted in 2019 to abolish seasonal time changes, but negotiations stalled. By 2025, the European Commission signaled plans to withdraw the proposal, though member states and lawmakers can still debate the issue.
Whether DST remains or is eventually phased out, one thing is certain—many people would be happy to see their clocks locked:
At any given moment in Australia, someone, somewhere, is confused about what time it actually is. This is because only some states observe DST while others refuse to participate in the madness.
Johan Locke, AI and assistive technology expert
Dealing with the Chaos of Daylight Saving TimeTips for Coping with the Clock Change
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Adjust your sleep gradually. Before DST starts, go to bed 10–15 minutes earlier each night. Before it ends, try waking up a bit earlier instead.
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If possible, get some morning light. Step outside early to reset your body clock naturally.
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Limit caffeine. Avoid it late in the day to protect your sleep.
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Keep a consistent routine. Stick to regular sleep and meal times, even on weekends.
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Plan for extra rest. Allow a few days to adapt and avoid heavy schedules.
Frequently Asked DST Questions
What is DST?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of setting the clocks forward during part of the year to make better use of natural daylight. Changing the clocks does not create extra daylight but instead shifts the time of sunrise and sunsets.
Is Summer Time the Same as DST?
Saying “summer time” instead of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is common in many countries, especially in the United Kingdom. The term winter time is sometimes used instead of standard time, which is the official name for the period without DST.
Is DST bad for your health?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) can mess with our body clock and can trigger underlying health issues. This time change can cause disruptions to our body clock, otherwise known as the circadian rhythm.