ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Lawmakers are once again trying to end the twice-yearly ritual of changing the clocks, but many sleep experts say if the country is going to stick with one time year-round, it shouldn’t be daylight saving time.
The U.S. House recently passed legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent, a change supporters say would provide more evening daylight. But medical experts warn the proposal could mean darker winter mornings, later sunrises and long-term health effects, particularly in places like Western North Carolina.
Supporters say permanent daylight saving time would provide more consistent schedules, allow families more evening daylight and benefit businesses, tourism and outdoor recreation.
But health experts say there is an important distinction between ending the clock changes and choosing permanent daylight saving time.
Many sleep and medical organizations support eliminating the twice-yearly time changes, but they generally favor permanent standard time because it more closely aligns with the body’s natural response to sunlight.
Winter sunrises could move closer to 8:40 a.m.
For communities like Asheville, which sits near the western edge of the Eastern Time Zone, the impact would be especially noticeable during the winter months.
Under the current system, the sun rises in Asheville at about 7:36 a.m. around the winter solstice and sets around 5:21 p.m.
If daylight saving time remained in effect year-round, sunrise would shift about an hour later — to roughly 8:36 a.m. — while sunset would move to about 6:21 p.m., according to data provided by the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg.
“It’s not that we’re creating more daylight,” said Trisha Palmer, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg. “We’re just changing the times that the sun rises and sets on the clock.”
Palmer said the weather would not change, but the timing of daylight could affect daily life, especially during winter weather.
“Roads often need a couple of hours of sunlight to warm up and reduce slick spots after a winter event,” she said. “Instead of roads being safer by around 10 a.m., it might be closer to 11 a.m.”
She also said winter fog, which commonly develops overnight in mountain valleys, could linger longer into the morning commute because of the delayed sunrise.
Sleep experts warn of circadian disruption
Dr. Aatif Husain, professor of neurology and chief of the Division of Epilepsy, Sleep and Neurophysiology at Duke University School of Medicine, said the biggest concern with permanent daylight saving time is the potential mismatch between people’s schedules and their internal biological clocks.
“Permanent daylight saving time would create a mismatch between our social clocks and our internal biological clocks,” Husain said.
The body’s circadian rhythm is strongly influenced by exposure to light, particularly in the morning. Husain said later winter sunrises would reduce exposure to morning light while extending light later into the evening, a combination that could delay sleep patterns.
“Morning light is one of the most important signals for aligning the circadian system,” he said. “Over time, this misalignment could contribute to later bedtimes, shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality.”
Husain said circadian disruption has also been associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health concerns.
Dr. Ruth Benca, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, said the issue is that the human body does not adjust based solely on the clock.
“Our body clock will remain entrained to the light-dark cycle, not when we choose to be awake,” Benca said.
She described permanent daylight saving time as potentially creating “perpetual jet lag” for some people because their internal clocks would remain out of sync with their daily schedules.
Children, teens and older adults could be affected
Experts said some groups could face greater challenges under permanent daylight saving time, particularly children and teenagers.
“Adolescents already have biologically later sleep timing and often receive insufficient sleep because of early school start times,” Husain said.
A later sunrise could mean students waiting for buses or arriving at school while it is still dark during winter months.
When Asheville-area students return from winter break in early January, sunrise under the current system is around 7:40 a.m. Under permanent daylight saving time, sunrise would be closer to 8:40 a.m.
With many elementary schools starting around 8 a.m. and middle and high school schedules beginning shortly afterward, some students could begin their day before sunrise.
Husain said shift workers, older adults and people with insomnia or circadian rhythm disorders could also be more vulnerable to the effects of changing the light-dark cycle.
Research shows clock changes affect health habits
Research from North Carolina State University also suggests the effects of daylight saving time extend beyond sleep.
A 2024 study by NC State researchers found the spring transition to daylight saving time was associated with changes in healthy habits, including fewer fitness center visits and increased consumption of processed snack foods shortly after the time change.
Researchers said losing an hour of sleep and disrupting routines may affect decision-making and self-control.
The study examined the twice-yearly clock change rather than permanent daylight saving time, but it adds to research examining how changes to sleep schedules affect health behaviors.
More evening light could benefit businesses
Supporters of permanent daylight saving time argue that later sunsets would provide more opportunities for recreation, tourism and evening activities.
That argument has particular relevance in Western North Carolina, where outdoor recreation, restaurants, breweries and tourism businesses rely heavily on visitors spending time outside.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., who supported the legislation, said during House debate that permanent daylight saving time would provide more daylight during the hours Americans are most active.
But experts say the tradeoff is that additional evening light comes at the expense of morning light.
“We often hear about ‘gaining an hour of daylight’ or ‘losing an hour of daylight,’” Palmer said. “That’s not the case. The total amount of daylight does not change. It’s just where the clock is sitting when sunrise and sunset occur.”
Husain said another misconception is that ending clock changes automatically means permanent daylight saving time.
“The question is which fixed time is healthiest,” he said. “Sleep and circadian experts generally conclude that standard time is the better choice.”
If the law changes, experts recommend adjustments
If Congress approves permanent daylight saving time, Husain and Benca recommend prioritizing morning light exposure and maintaining consistent sleep schedules.
Experts recommend getting bright light soon after waking, keeping bedrooms dark at night, reducing bright screens before bedtime and maintaining consistent bedtimes, especially for children and teenagers.
Husain said people can also gradually adjust schedules by shifting bedtime and wake times by about 15 to 20 minutes per day during a transition.
The House vote is not the first attempt to change the nation’s time system. The Senate passed a similar proposal in 2022, but it did not advance in the House.
For now, Western North Carolina residents will continue changing their clocks twice a year unless Congress and the president approve a permanent change.