WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump has announced intentions to abolish the practice of daylight saving time if he resumes office.
Trump believes the tradition of adjusting clocks twice a year is outdated and unnecessary.
Trump’s call aligns with a sentiment among some Republican lawmakers who have long advocated for a consistent time without these biannual disruptions.
Trump took to his social media account to make his point, asserting that the time changes disrupt schedules and create confusion, which he argues outweigh any historical benefits that might have existed in the past.
Health experts have weighed in on the debate, generally opposing the permanent adoption of daylight saving time.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and other health organizations argue that standard time aligns more closely with the body’s natural biological rhythms.
Research cited by these experts suggests that daylight saving time, particularly in the spring, can lead to a host of health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, increased incidence of heart attacks, and other cardiovascular complications.
Dr. Alaina Tiani, an advocate for permanent standard time, argues that remaining on standard time is more beneficial to public health.
She points out that switching to daylight saving time disrupts the body’s internal clock, leading to sleep deprivation and other health concerns, which can persist throughout the months of extended evening daylight.
According to Tiani, maintaining standard time would result in better alignment with natural light cycles, leading to improved sleep quality and overall health.