Sleep Scientists Favor Year-Round Standard Time

July 21, 2026 - 07:56

The U.S. House of Representatives is moving toward making daylight saving time permanent across the country, but sleep scientists and physicians are pushing back with a different recommendation. After years of research, these experts argue that standard time should be the year-round choice, not daylight saving.

The debate centers on how our internal body clocks respond to light. Standard time aligns more closely with the natural cycle of sunrise and sunset, which helps regulate sleep patterns and overall health. When clocks spring forward, people lose an hour of morning light, making it harder to wake up naturally. Studies have linked the shift to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents in the days following the change.

Permanent daylight saving would mean darker mornings for much of the year, especially in northern states. This can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, higher rates of depression, and reduced productivity. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other health organizations have publicly stated that standard time is the safer option for long-term public health.

While lawmakers see the appeal of longer evening daylight for recreation and commerce, the scientific community warns that the cost to human health may outweigh those benefits. The decision now sits with Congress, but the message from sleep researchers is clear: stick with standard time for good.