Ever wondered why we shuffle our clocks twice a year, thanks to Daylight Saving Time? You’re not alone! Why do we “spring forward” and “fall back”? Why are we messing with our sleep schedules and, even worse – our kids’ schedules? Let’s debunk some myths about DLS, starting with the most popular Google Question: “Why did Daylight Saving Time begin in 1970?”
Well, spoiler alert—it didn’t! DST was around in different forms much earlier, but it gained popularity globally after World War I as a way to save energy and get more use out of our natural daylight. In the 1970s, it became a bit more standardized in some places.
Myth #1: Benjamin Franklin Invented Daylight Saving Time
Many believe that Benjamin Franklin came up with DST, and it’s easy to see why. After all, he’s the guy who said, “Early to bed and early to rise,” right? Well…Franklin did joke about maximizing daylight in a satirical letter, but that’s as close as he ever got to the idea of DST. He wasn’t exactly drafting proposals to shift clocks twice a year.
Myth #2: DST Saves Energy
We’ve been told that DST saves energy because more daylight means less electricity is needed to power lights.
While this was the case in the early 1900s, the world has changed a lot since then. Studies show that any savings from lighting are canceled out by other modern habits, like lowering the AC in the summer or blasting the heat in the winter. And let’s be honest: we’re more likely to use that “extra hour” to catch up on late-night Netflix binges!
Myth #3: DST Is Good For Your Health
The Common Misconception:
More daylight = more time to be outdoors, exercise, and live a healthy life, right? Nope! DST can actually throw off your internal clock, leading to sleep troubles, mood swings, and even health issues like increased heart attacks right after the clock change. You would think with data like that, we would follow the suit of Japan (more on that later!).
Pro Tip: Need help adjusting to the time change? Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier for a few days before the switch. Your future self (and your internal clock) will thank you. I know, I know – easier said than done!
Myth #4: Everyone in the World Observes Daylight Saving Time
You’d think something as universal as daylight would have the whole world participating in DST, but fewer than 40% of countries actually observe DST. Many countries ditched it ages ago, realizing the benefits were pretty much nonexistent. Russia dropped DST in 2011, claiming it was too disruptive and that Japan hadn’t used it since WWII! Some tropical countries skip it altogether since they already have consistent daylight year-round.
Myth #5: You Lose (or Gain) An Hour of Sleep
Everyone freaks out about losing an hour in the spring or getting an “extra” hour in the fall, but is it really that dramatic? Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as losing or gaining an hour. That clock change can mess with your sleep cycle for days, and your body might take a while to adjust. And that extra hour in the fall? Most of us just spend it scrolling on our phones anyway!
Sure, you *gain* an hour, but let’s be real—will you use it for anything productive, or will you just sleep or scroll through it?
So, while DST may have started with good intentions, it’s evolved into a love-hate relationship for most of us. But no worries—whether you’re gaining or losing an hour, you’ll probably find a way to make the most of it. Or at least a great excuse to snooze your alarm!
Enjoy these Daylight Saving Time activities you can use in your classroom!
