Key Takeaways
Clock changes don’t just shift daylight—they disrupt how your body keeps time.
- The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026 by a 308 to 117 vote. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent and now moves to the Senate.
- Switching between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time can disrupt sleep schedules, leading to short-term fatigue and reduced well-being.
- The biannual time change has sparked ongoing debate, with many experts questioning whether year-round Standard Time would better support sleep and health.
- Daylight Saving Time pushes winter sunrises later, with some regions seeing daylight after 8:30 a.m., which can make mornings feel harder.
- Standard Time creates earlier summer sunrises, sometimes before 4:30 a.m., which can impact early-morning light exposure.
- Consistent light timing matters. Stable schedules and morning light exposure help reduce the sleep disruption caused by clock changes.
Did the Daylight Saving Time Bill Pass?
The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, 2026, by a vote of 308 to 117. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the country and now heads to the Senate. If the Senate passes it and the President signs it, the twice-a-year clock change would end, though states could opt out and stay on standard time.
Are you tired of constantly struggling with your sleep schedule due to time changes? You're not alone.
Every year, the "fall back" and "spring forward" of the clocks flips the Daylight Saving Time (DST) switch on and off. The result is groggy mornings, irritable days, and sleep that feels off, sometimes for weeks.
These time changes disrupt your internal clock, which can affect your health and overall well-being.
Now Congress is closer than ever to ending the clock changes for good. In July 2026, the House passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the country.
The bill now awaits a vote in the Senate. Lawmakers chose permanent daylight saving time, though the bill lets individual states opt out and stay on standard time instead.
This blog looks at the benefits of staying on Daylight Saving Time or staying on Standard Time permanently, and what each one could mean for your sleep.
Congress Controls the Clock. You Control the Temperature
Whether the Senate locks the clock or not, your body still needs one thing to fall asleep fast: a cooler bed. Chilipad 2.0 uses water to keep your bed at your ideal temperature, from 55 to 115°F, so your sleep stays consistent no matter what the calendar says. No subscription, just better nights.
What is Standard Time & What is Daylight Saving Time?
Most states currently use Standard Time from November to March. In March, most states “spring forward” one hour to Daylight Saving Time, and this stays until November, when clocks “fall back” to Standard Time.
Daylight time involves advancing clocks to make use of longer daylight hours during the summer months, typically moving clocks forward in spring and back in autumn to extend evening daylight.
Where Did Daylight Saving Time Come From?
The United States first used Daylight Saving Time (DST) during World War I to help the war effort and save energy. In theory, DST shifted more daylight into evening hours, reducing the need for electricity.
Since electricity was often generated by burning fuel, DST meant people would use less electricity and, therefore, less fuel.
In 1918, Congress passed the Standard Time Act, which included the implementation of DST. After the war, few people liked the DST law. So, in 1919, much to President Wilson’s chagrin, Congress repealed the act.
Wilson favored DST because he believed it provided people with more leisure time in the evenings and conserved energy due to the extended natural light.
During World War II, President Roosevelt reinstated Daylight Saving Time, which he called ‘War Time’ and made it year-round. This started in 1942 and continued until the war ended in 1945.
After the war, different parts of the country were allowed to choose whether or not to use Daylight Saving Time. Finally, in 1966, President Johnson passed a law that made it the same nationwide.
In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill called the Sunshine Protection Act that would make daylight saving time permanent.
It stalled in the House of Representatives because lawmakers could not agree on whether to keep standard time or permanent daylight saving time.
In July 2026, the House passed a new version of the Sunshine Protection Act by a vote of 308 to 117. This version makes daylight saving time the national default while letting states pass an exemption to stay on standard time. The bill now needs Senate approval and the President's signature to become law.
Benefits of Standard Time Year-Round
Maintaining Standard Time year-round offers several benefits for health, safety, and overall well-being:
Supports Natural Sleep Cycles
Standard time aligns with the natural light-dark cycle, helping regulate the body’s internal clock (called circadian rhythm) and promoting better sleep quality and consistency.
Improves Physical Health
A stable sleep schedule and exposure to morning sunlight can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues, strengthen the immune system, and support overall physical health.
Supports Mental Health
Morning light exposure increases serotonin production, which helps improve mood, reduce stress, and support mental clarity throughout the day.
Promotes Safety
Consistent sleep patterns and natural morning light reduce fatigue, improving safety on roads, at work, and in other activities that require focus and awareness.
Aligns with Human Biology
Standard time mirrors the sun’s natural rise and fall, helping to balance hormones like melatonin and cortisol, which play a central role in sleep, energy, and overall health.
Benefits of Daylight Saving Time Year-Round
Keeping Daylight Saving Time year-round also offers several benefits that can positively impact health, productivity, and daily life:
More Evening Daylight
Extended daylight in the evening allows for more time to enjoy outdoor activities, exercise, or spend quality time with family and friends after work or school.
Furthermore, people who identify as “night owls” find themselves enjoying more productivity with longer days as well.
Encourages Physical Activity
With more daylight in the evening, people are more likely to engage in outdoor activities such as walking, running, or playing sports, supporting physical health and fitness.
Improves Mental Health
Extra evening sunlight can help boost mood and reduce symptoms of seasonal depression by increasing exposure to natural light later in the day.
Increases Productivity
Longer daylight in the evening provides more opportunities to accomplish tasks, run errands, or participate in hobbies, leading to a more productive and fulfilling day.
Reduces Energy Use
With more daylight in the evening, there’s less need for artificial lighting, which may help lower energy consumption and reduce electricity costs.
Promotes Safety in the Evening
More daylight during evening commutes or activities can help reduce accidents and improve safety, as visibility is greater in natural light.
Compare Year-Round Daylight Savings Time vs Standard Time
The chart below compares DST and Standard Time across a few major metropolitan US cities; New York, Los Angeles, & Atlanta.
Circled are key times to consider how they may impact your daily life, not just your sleep schedule.
As an example, New Yorkers may not want the Sunrise to be at 4:25 am in the Summer on Standard Time. Similarly, they may not want Sunrise to be at 8:16 am in the Winter on DST.
The Bottom Line
The country is closer to locking the clock than at any point in decades. Whether the Senate acts remains to be seen, but the debate itself is a win for sleep health.
Arguments can be made for and against each time. From a sleep health perspective, what we welcome most is the national focus and attention being brought to sleep and its effects on physical and emotional health.
Ultimately, consistency is key to adopting the healthiest and most life-sustaining habits so we prefer no switching.
The change definitely damages our collective circadian rhythm. As for the issue of later or earlier sunrises and sunsets, everyone has an opinion and the country is understandably split on the issue.
Saving Time vs Standard Time FAQs
When Would Permanent Daylight Saving Time Start
Can States Opt Out of Permanent Daylight Saving Time?
Why does Daylight Saving Time affect sleep more than Standard Time?
Does Daylight Saving Time impact health long-term?
How Long Does It Take to Adjust After a Time Change?
Does Every Region Observe Daylight Saving Time?
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, conditions, or treatment options.
