Every year, as October and November roll around, an old tradition resurfaces in the United States: Daylight Saving Time (DST). This is the time when the entire country sets its clocks back by one hour. Digital clocks adjust automatically, but manually setting older clocks and alarm clocks can be confusing for people for a few days. In 2025, this change will occur on the morning of November 2nd. As people set their clocks back, the weather will feel colder, darkness will fall earlier, and then the question will arise—is DST still necessary? Or has it simply become a habit, adopted without much thought?
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The History and Original Purpose of DST
The original concept of Daylight Saving Time was very simple. In the summer, the evenings are longer and there is more daylight. The purpose of DST was to maximize the use of this natural light so that people could save electricity. In 1966, the US Congress adopted it under the Uniform Time Act, which stipulated that:
- Clocks are moved forward one hour on the second Sunday in March.
- Clocks are moved back one hour on the first Sunday in November.
This change makes summer evenings feel longer, and people use this extra daylight for sports, work, and spending time outdoors. But today’s society is not the same as it once was. Electricity consumption no longer depends solely on lighting but also on appliances, machinery, and 24-hour services. For this reason, questions have begun to arise about the benefits of DST.
DST Timeline in 2025
In 2025, DST began on March 9th and will end on November 2nd. People benefited from longer days and brighter evenings, but as time has passed, questions have increasingly been raised about whether this tradition still fits into today’s world.
An Extra Hour of Sleep—Beneficial or Disruptive?
When DST ends, people gain an extra hour of sleep, which many consider a small reward. However, health experts believe that this change disrupts the body’s natural rhythm (circadian rhythm). The body takes time to adjust to the new time, leading to problems such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. Parents of young children, night shift workers, the elderly, and those experiencing mental stress are particularly affected. According to the American Sleep Research Institute, there is an increase in road accidents and cardiovascular risks in the first 48 hours after DST ends. Therefore, experts now believe that changing the clocks twice a year is not beneficial for health.
Political Debate and Congressional Stalemate
DST is not just a tradition but also a matter of politics, economics, and public preference. Some people prefer longer summer evenings, while others consider morning light essential for children’s safety and work. In 2024 and 2025, former President Donald Trump made contradictory statements on DST—sometimes advocating for making it permanent and other times for abolishing it. This shows that there are deep scientific as well as political divisions on this issue.
The US Congress has been unable to reach a decision on DST for many years. In 2022, the “Sunshine Protection Act” was passed, which would have made DST permanent, but it did not receive final approval. It was reintroduced in 2025, but little progress has been made. Meanwhile, more than 29 US states have initiated efforts to either abolish or make DST permanent. Some areas do not observe DST at all, such as
- Hawaii
- Most of Arizona
- Puerto Rico
- Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands
What will happen on November 2, 2025?
On Sunday, November 2, at 2 AM, clocks will be turned back one hour. This will mean:
- Morning light will be brighter and earlier than before.
- Evenings will get darker earlier.
- Outdoor activities will have to end sooner.
- Days will feel shorter.
The feeling of cold will increase. Many people will welcome this change, but for those who have adapted to their daily routines, it can be a source of inconvenience.
The Usefulness of DST: Is it still necessary?
When DST was first introduced, its purpose was to save energy, but the situation is different today:
- Energy savings are less than 1%.
- People’s sleep is affected.
- It has a negative impact on mental health.
- Productivity decreases.
- Accident risks increase.
Therefore, experts and social groups are raising the question of whether continuing DST is wise.
Will DST end in the future?
No final decision has been made yet. Until Congress enacts new legislation, clocks will continue to change in March and November.
Conclusion: An Extra Hour, But a Bigger Question
In 2025, DST will end again, and you’ll get an extra hour of sleep. But the bigger question remains: is this tradition still necessary? Changing clocks seems like a small task, but it has a significant impact on people’s routines, sleep, health, and social behavior. This year, when you set your clock back, consider whether we need to change the time twice a year or if we should adopt a uniform time throughout the year.
FAQs
Q. When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2025?
A. Daylight Saving Time in the United States ends on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2:00 a.m., when clocks are set back one hour to 1:00 a.m.
Q. Why do we turn clocks back in November?
A. Clocks are turned back to return to Standard Time, giving us an extra hour of sleep and making mornings brighter, but evenings darker earlier.
Q. Which U.S. states do not observe Daylight Saving Time in 2025?
A. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe DST, along with certain U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.
Q. What is the original purpose of Daylight Saving Time?
A. DST was introduced to save energy by making better use of natural daylight during longer summer evenings.
Q. Does changing clocks for DST affect our health?
A. Yes, it can disrupt the body’s natural rhythm causing fatigue, insomnia, mood swings, and increased risk of accidents in the days following the time change.
