2025 Daylight Saving Time: When to Set Your Clocks Forward

The United States changes to Daylight Saving Time (DST) every year, causing clocks across the country to be adjusted. This change is done to make the most of daylight in the summer months. However, there has long been a debate about its benefits and disadvantages.

When will Daylight Saving Time start in 2025?

Daylight Saving Time will begin on Sunday, March 9, 2025, this year. On this day, the clock will be moved forward one hour at 2:00 am, making the time 3:00 am. After this, daylight will remain longer, making the evenings brighter.

However, this change also poses some challenges, such as mornings becoming darker and affecting people’s sleep schedules.

History and Purpose of Daylight Saving Time

The main purpose of Daylight Saving Time is to save energy. The idea originated in 1784, when Benjamin Franklin first suggested that adjusting clocks could reduce dependence on artificial light.

However, it was officially implemented in the US during World War I to save fuel and increase productivity. Later, after several ups and downs, it was standardized across the country in 1966 under the Uniform Time Act. In 2005, it was further extended under the Energy Policy Act, making DST last for more weeks now.

Which states do not follow daylight saving time?

Most of the US states follow this rule, but some have decided to opt out.

• ✔ Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) remain on standard time year-round, as there is not much variation in daylight hours.
• ✔ Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. DST is also not applicable in areas like the Virgin Islands because daylight remains constant there.

Can Daylight Saving Time be made permanent?

The process of changing the clock every year is constantly being debated. In 2022, the US Senate passed the ‘Sunshine Protection Act,’ which proposed to make daylight saving time permanent for the whole year.

Supporters of this change believe that

• ✔ Economic and social activities will improve due to more light in the evening.
• ✔ People will engage in more outdoor activities.
• ✔ Energy consumption will decrease.

On the other hand, those opposing it argue that:

• ✘ Mornings will be very dark in winter, causing problems for school-going children and working people.
• ✘ Disturbances in the sleep cycle can have an impact on health.

However, this bill has not yet been passed in the US House of Representatives, so in 2025 also the clock will be changed according to the current rules.

How to prepare for daylight saving time?

Since the clock will have to be moved forward by one hour on March 9, 2025, this change can affect your daily routine. For this, you can take some easy measures:

1. ✔ Change the sleep schedule gradually: Start sleeping 10-15 minutes earlier every day a few days before the change.
2. ✔ Set manual clocks in advance: Mobiles and computers will update the time automatically, but change clocks like wall clocks, alarm clocks and microwaves manually.
3. ✔ Get morning light: Get natural morning light to reset the body clock (biological clock).
4. ✔ Reduce caffeine and screen time: Avoid the use of caffeine and electronic screens before bedtime so that sleep is not affected.

Conclusion

Daylight Saving Time begins on March 9 in 2025, pushing clocks forward by one hour. This change will make evenings brighter, but mornings may be darker. Although there are different opinions about this system, it has been decided to keep it in place for now. If you prepare in advance, the impact of this change can be minimized, and the maximum benefit can be made of it.

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