Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know

It’s almost time to set your clocks back! Daylight Saving Time (DST) is coming to an end this Sunday. This means we will all gain an extra hour of sleep. That sounds great, right? But there are mixed feelings about this time change.

The Change Ahead

This Sunday, at 2 a.m., we will fall back and return to Standard Time. Many people are happy about getting an extra hour of sleep. However, there are also some downsides. With this change, it will get darker earlier in the evening. This can make some people feel sad or gloomy.

Mixed Emotions from Rhode Islanders

In Rhode Island, people have different opinions about this time change. Some enjoy the extra hour of sleep but dislike how dark it gets so early. One person shared, “I’m not super excited because I like it to be light in the evenings.” This shows that while the sleep is nice, many prefer longer daylight in the evenings.

Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know
Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know

Why Do We Change the Clocks?

Some people wonder if changing the clocks twice a year is still necessary. A Rhode Island resident, Eddie Morera, who now lives in Nevada, said, “I just don’t think it makes sense anymore.” He pointed out that neighboring Arizona and Hawaii do not change their clocks. They stay on Standard Time all year long. This raises the question: Why should we change our clocks?

Efforts to Change the System

Some lawmakers have tried to make a change. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Senator Ed Markey sponsored the Sunshine Protection Act. This act aims to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Many people in Rhode Island feel sad when it suddenly gets dark early. One person said, “I think people in Rhode Island get pretty sorrowful when the day comes when suddenly it’s dark driving home.”

The Sunshine Protection Act passed unanimously in the US Senate in 2022. This means everyone agreed on it! However, it got stalled in the House of Representatives. This is where things got stuck and did not move forward. There is hope that it will be considered again in the next Congress.

Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know
Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know

What Happens This Weekend?

So, what should you do this weekend? Make sure to set your clocks back one hour. This change will happen at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday. This means if you usually wake up at 7:00 a.m., you will feel like you are waking up at 6:00 a.m. It’s a good time to sleep in if you can!

How to Prepare for the Change

Here are some tips to prepare for the time change:

  • Set your clocks back: Remember to change your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday night.
  • Adjust your sleep schedule: Try to go to bed a little earlier on Saturday night to help your body adjust.
  • Enjoy the extra hour: Use the extra hour to relax, read, or spend time with family.
  • Be safe: Watch out for darker evenings, especially if you are driving.

Final Thoughts

As we prepare to fall back this Sunday, it’s important to think about how this change affects us. While gaining an extra hour of sleep is nice, we must also consider how it impacts our daily lives. Will we miss the evening light? Or will we enjoy the cozy feeling of longer nights? Everyone has their own feelings about it.

Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know
Understanding Daylight Saving Time: What You Need to Know

Whether you love it or hate it, Daylight Saving Time will continue to be a topic of discussion. For now, enjoy that extra hour of sleep and take care during the darker evenings to come!

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