Spring forward: When does Daylight Saving Time begin?

Faith Harrington, The Standard-Times
·2 min read
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It’s almost time to change the clocks again, this time it will be to add some much-needed afternoon sunlight.

If you are ready to shake off the winter blues and embrace an extra hour of daylight in the evening, you won’t have to wait much longer. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10 when we move the clocks an hour ahead.

You may have to wake up an hour earlier than normal as we “spring forward” but it’s worth it for the longer days leading into warmer weather.

As Spring officially arrives at 11:06 p.m. on March 19, we are getting closer to the end of winter when everything begins to thaw and the pleasant weather brings with it the blooms of a new season.

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. Remember to move your clocks forward an hour before retiring on Saturday night.
Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. Remember to move your clocks forward an hour before retiring on Saturday night.

What is daylight saving time?

Daylight Saving Time is the twice-yearly routine of setting the clock forward an hour on the second Sunday of March and putting it back an hour on the first Sunday of November to make better use of daylight hours. It’s done at 2 a.m. when most people are asleep in hopes of being less destructive to schedules and businesses.

According to the Sleep Foundation, Daylight Saving Time can affect your body in many ways, from heart problems to mood disorders as well as disrupting your circadian rhythms. They note that waking up to darker mornings can delay your sleep-wake up cycle and you should take the steps to stay consistent with a sleep routine so that it does not impact your health.

When did daylight saving time start?

During WWI, many countries first practiced daylight saving time in order to conserve power and save fuel for the war effort. Often it is attributed to the myth that it was created to benefit farmers when in fact farmers and agriculture groups have lobbied against it for years.

The United States first adopted daylight saving time in 1918, only to have Congress repeal it a year later. It was later implemented inconsistently throughout different states and cities until 1966 when the Uniform Time Act of 1966 established consistent use of daylight saving time within the United States.

Don't forget to to reset your car, stove, and microwave clock, it's also a good time to remember to change the batteries in your fire/carbon monoxide detectors.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March