Why Do We Still Change the Clocks in New York?

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 2, 2025, for the end of Daylight Saving Time. This "fall back" will make the sun rise and set an hour earlier.

Most New Yorkers hate it.  It steals our daylight and sends us home in the dark by 5 PM.  So why do we still do it, and is it actually bad for us?

Health and Sleep

Sources suggest that the switch to Standard Time aligns better with our natural circadian rhythm, but that the springtime “jump ahead” throws our bodies out of whack.
Studies show spikes in heart attacks and strokes right after the change, plus sleep loss and cranky mornings.

When we lose that hour, fatal car accidents rise, and in the fall, the early darkness has been linked to higher rates of depression, according to sources.
Sure, lighter evenings in the spring help reduce robberies and boost outdoor activity, but come November, we’re all just moodier and driving home in the dark.

Why It Keeps Happening

The U.S. began experimenting with time during World War I to conserve fuel, and
we’ve been flipping the clocks ever since, through wars, energy crises, and endless debates in Congress.

In fact, 29 states are actively trying to make either Daylight Saving or Standard Time permanent, but New York hasn’t broken free yet because federal approval is still required.

So, When Does It End?

The Sunshine Protection Act was passed by the U.S. Senate in 2022 but stalled in the House of Representatives.
Since then, new bills have been introduced, but none have become law.

The Dark Side

Less daylight doesn’t just affect your mood; it also impacts productivity and the economy, and studies show that people spend less money when the sun sets earlier.
Personally, I've found that more darkness, more scrolling, more sleeping in, and a whole lot less motivation.

Quick Tips to Cope

• Get sunlight early in the day.
• Keep your sleep schedule consistent.
• Move your clocks before bed — avoid the scramble.
• Stay active after work, even if it’s dark.
• And maybe invest in one of those fancy daylight lamps.

Bottom line: We don’t change the clocks for farmers anymore; we do it because Congress can’t agree on what time it should really be.
In the meantime, even though we all know it's not ideal, take advantage of that extra hour of sleep!