You can barely lift your head off the pillow. Your body feels weak. All you want to do is crawl under the covers and sleep for 50 years. It’s been a few weeks since daylight saving time (DST) began. But if you’re like a lot of teens, you’re probably still groaning when the alarm goes off an hour earlier every morning.

    Most of the United States uses DST. It begins on the second Sunday in March. That’s when we move our clocks forward one hour. This gives us less sunlight in the morning and more in the evening. 

    On the first Sunday in November, we change our clocks back. That’s when DST ends and standard time (ST) begins. 

    Most Americans say that changing our clocks is annoying. In fact, 63 percent of them would like it to stop. But there’s a question people can’t agree on: Does DST or ST make more sense?

    You can barely lift your head. Your body feels weak. You wish you could sleep for years. It’s been a few weeks since daylight saving time (DST) began. But many teens are still groaning when the alarm goes off an hour earlier in the morning. 

    Most of the U.S. uses DST. It starts on the second Sunday in March. That’s when we move our clocks forward one hour. This gives us less sunlight in the morning and more in the evening.

    DST ends on the first Sunday in November. That’s when we change our clocks back. It’s when standard time (ST) starts.

    Most Americans say that changing our clocks is a pain. In fact, 63 percent would like it to stop. But there’s something people can’t agree on: Which is better, DST or ST?

    You can barely lift your head off the pillow. Your body feels weak, and all you want to do is crawl under the covers and sleep for 50 years. It’s been a few weeks since daylight saving time (DST) began—but if you’re like a lot of teenagers, you’re probably still groaning when the alarm goes off an hour earlier each morning. 

    Most of the United States uses DST. It begins on the second Sunday in March. That’s when we move our clocks forward one hour, which gives us less sunlight in the morning and more in the evening.

    On the first Sunday in November, we change our clocks back. That’s when DST ends and standard time (ST) begins.

    The majority of Americans say that changing our clocks is annoying—in fact, 63 percent would like it to stop. But there’s a question people can’t agree on: Which makes more sense, DST or ST?

    If you ask the U.S. Senate, its answer would be DST. It voted to make DST permanent last March. (The House of Representatives and the President still need to agree to make it a law.)

    DST got its start in the U.S. during World War I (1914–1918). It was a way to save energy. The government believed that DST would help Americans use less electricity. Extra sunlight in the evening would mean they wouldn’t turn on lights as early.

    Today it’s unclear whether DST actually saves energy. But many people still believe it’s better. Studies show that car accidents drop overall during DST. (One reason is that people aren’t driving in the dark as much in the evening.) Some experts say there’s less crime when our streets stay lighter later too. 

    More daylight in the evening would also allow kids to play outdoors after school, even in the winter. This can boost their mood and give them more energy.

    The U.S. Senate prefers DST. It voted to make DST permanent last March. (It’s not a law yet. The House of Representatives and the President still need to agree.)

    DST got its start in the U.S. during World War I (1914–1918). It was a way to save energy. The government hoped people would use less electricity. With more light in the evening, they wouldn’t turn on lights as early.

    Today it’s not clear that DST saves energy. Still, many people say it’s better. Studies show that there are fewer car accidents during DST. One reason is that drivers have more light in the evening. Some experts say there’s less crime when the sun stays up later too.

    Plus, more light in the evening would allow kids to play outdoors after school, even in winter. This can boost their mood. It can give them more energy too.

    If you ask the U.S. Senate, its answer would be DST. It voted to make DST permanent last March. (The House of Representatives and the President still need to agree to make it a law.)

    DST got its start in the U.S. during World War I (1914–1918) as a way to save energy. The government believed that DST would help Americans use less electricity, because the extra sunlight in the evening would mean they wouldn’t turn on lights as early.

    Today it’s unclear whether DST actually saves energy, but many people still believe it’s better. Studies show that car accidents drop overall during DST, partly because people aren’t driving in the dark as much in the evening. Some experts say there’s less crime when our streets stay lighter later too.

    More daylight in the evening would also allow kids to play outdoors after school, even in the winter. This can boost their mood and give them more energy.

    But some sleep experts think we should use ST. Why? They say it’s more in line with our natural sleep cycles. Disrupting those cycles can cause poor sleep. It may even increase the risk for heart disease and depression. 

    Fans of ST also point out that DST doesn’t “save” daylight. It just steals it from the morning. With DST, sunrise doesn’t come until 9 a.m. in some places. Dark mornings could be dangerous for kids walking to school.

    It’s hard to believe a one-hour change can make such a big difference. So what do you think? Is DST or ST better? 

    But some sleep experts say we should use ST. Why? They say it fits our natural sleep cycles better. That can lead to better sleep. It may even lower the risk for heart disease and depression.

    Fans of ST also point out that DST doesn’t “save” daylight. It just steals it from the morning. With DST, the sun doesn’t rise until 9 a.m. in some places. Mornings are dark. That’s not good for kids walking to school.

    A one-hour change can sure make a difference. So what do you think? Which is better: DST or ST? 

    But some sleep experts think we should use ST. Why? They say it’s more in line with our natural sleep cycles. Disrupting those cycles can cause poor sleep and may even increase the risk for heart disease and depression.

    Supporters of ST also point out that rather than “saving” daylight, DST just shifts it from the morning to the evening. With DST, sunrise doesn’t come until 9 a.m. in some areas. Dark mornings could be dangerous for kids walking to school.

    It’s hard to believe a one-hour change can make such a big difference. So which do you think is better, DST or ST?