Tired of changing the clocks? Here’s where Georgia stands on daylight saving 2023

Chelsea Madden
·3 min read

It’s almost time to change the clocks. Yes, again.

While dozens of U.S. states have proposed to keep either permanent daylight saving time (Sunshine Protection Act) or permanent standard time, no states have actually adopted a legislative change in 2023.

In fact, there has been no momentum at all.

“Without new movement on proposed changes, Americans should expect clock changes to continue into 2024,” according to the Sleep Foundation.

So, what does that mean for us right now?

Get ready to fall back, Georgia.

When do Georgians need to change their clocks?

Nov. 5, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. marks the official time to “fall back” for daylight saving time. This means clocks will “fall back” one hour at 2 a.m. local time.

What if it changes?

A change in Georgia’s adherence to daylight saving will mean the Sunshine Protection Act has passed and the state will adopt permanent daylight saving time.

Other states that have proposed this include:

  • Florida

  • South Carolina

  • Alabama

  • Mississippi

  • Louisiana

  • Tennessee

  • Ohio

  • Delaware

  • Minnesota

  • Colorado

  • Utah

  • Montana

  • Washington

  • Oregon

States that voted down legislation: Idaho, Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Nebraska, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Virginia and Wyoming.

Does daylight saving time have any benefits?

According to experts like American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, more daylight in the evening improves public safety and sleep quality; increases social and commercial interaction; and lowers electricity use.

Some have proposed that the additional light helps school performance, cuts down on crime and car accidents, and even improves mental health.

When did daylight saving time start?

Well, it all started with Ben. Benjamin Franklin.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, “Benjamin Franklin’s ‘An Economical Project,’ written in 1784, is the earliest known proposal to ‘save’ daylight. It was whimsical in tone, advocating laws to compel citizens to rise at the crack of dawn to save the expense of candlelight.”

In the proposal, Franklin said: “Every morning, as soon as the sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing: and if that is not sufficient, let cannon be fired in every street to wake the sluggards effectually … Oblige a man to rise at four in the morning, and it is probable that he will go willingly to bed at eight in the evening.”

But the person that brought it to Congress was a London builder by the name of William Willet around 1907.

Tips to skip the sleepiness

When it’s time to “fall back,” you may feel the sun has abandoned you for the first few mornings and hit the snooze button entirely too often to take advantage of the dark. Well, Georgia Public Broadcasting has a few tips for you:

  • Don’t start with a “sleep debt.” Ensure that you and, if you’re a parent, your child get adequate sleep regularly, especially leading up to the time change each year. Most adults need anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep daily to perform adequately. Children have varying requirements for sleep depending on their age.

  • Go to bed earlier and get up earlier.

  • Use light to your advantage. Expose yourself to bright light upon waking as you start getting up earlier in the week before daylight saving time starts. This resets your internal clock in the right direction. At night, minimize exposure to bright light and especially the blue light emitted by the screens of electronic media.

  • Carefully plan day and evening activities.

  • Pay more attention to what you eat and drink this week

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What’s your stance on daylight saving time? Comment below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com