Clocks Fall Back Tonight as Daylight Saving Time Ends; Push for Permanent Change Remains Stalled

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Tonight marks the another year’s end of daylight savings time as we “fall back” to standard time. The change, occurring each year at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, brings an end to the extended evening daylight hours, with more light in the morning hours. Make preparations for the change in daylight and take necessary evening safety precautions as needed in terms of driving and running errands after dark.

Will Daylight Savings ever be made permanent?

The Sunshine Protection Act, first introduced in 2018 in the U.S. Senate, is a bill with the intent to make daylight savings time permanent. Despite the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 being passed in 2022 unanimously by the Senate, the bill was unable to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2023, another iteration of the bill was brought up in both the house and senate, and is currently in their respective subcommittees.

“There has been no significant action on Senate or House bills to make daylight savings time effective year round,” according to Eric Suni of The Sleep Foundation.

Studies have shown that the “fall back” of November negatively impacts sleep, causing excessive daytime tiredness and hypersomnia by up to over 100% for many individuals. Despite these facts, it looks like there’s currently no end in sight.

This is a challenging time of year for some people

While the “bonus” hour of sleep may provide a short term reprieve for some, the end of daylight savings time adversely affects those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. The disorder is characterized as depression brought on by the changing seasons during the time of year when less sunlight is available. Symptoms include fatigue, social withdrawal, hopelessness, and even a lowered immune system.

If you or someone you know experiences seasonal depression, help and resources are available in Vicksburg. Grace Christian Counselling, Positive Pathways, Warren Yazoo Behavioral Health, and the Warren County Health Department can offer resources for counseling and/or treating depression and other mental illnesses.