Daylight savings time (DST) was first used in the United States in 1916. Originally created to allow farmers more daylight to work, decades later many states still use DST, despite the fact we don’t rely on farming as much and it has been known to have adverse effects people’s health.

Every spring the clocks are moved an hour forward at 2 a.m., and every fall the clocks are moved back. These changes can cause disruptions in sleep cycles that, in turn, can affect one’s overall health. 

These time changes can have a big impact on teens, seeing that we attend school all day then have demanding work schedules, which may not allow us enough time to go outside during the sunlight. This deprives the body Vitamin D, which can lead to depression, fatigue, muscle pain and weakened bones.

In addition, the University of Colorado reported that fatal car accidents increase 6 percent the week of DST. Drivers are more tired and less cautious on the road. 

Every year after DST, hospitals have reported a 24 percent increase in strokes and heart attacks due to the change in sleep patterns.

DST has its benefits for the one night we all get an hour extra of sleep, but that one hour causes myriad unnecessary health issues. 

DST needs to be changed. We no longer need DST for the purpose it was created, and all it does now is harm.