Daylight Savings Time Hinders Writing

In northern states, changing the clocks ahead allows for more light in the evenings, which makes people more productive in spring and summer. People in the north like to go out in the sunshine after spending winters locked indoors. Southern states don't have much of a winter. Although it might be cold, it doesn't snow and is not dark on a daily basis. They have sunshine all the time. I have lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Arizona and Florida. In Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, I felt the benefits of Daylight Savings Time although it still hindered my inspiration and writing. More on that later. Arizona doesn't change the clocks. It was great not having to worry about changing clocks, but I noticed no difference in the light without Daylight Savings Time. I don't agree that Florida should change clocks. The state has so much sunshine that it could be similar to Arizona and feel the same whether clocks are changed or not.

Becomes False Benefit

People say that we have more daylight in the evenings, but that means that the sun takes longer to rise in the morning. Also, unlike when our country was agricultural in nature, many people work indoors and do not need the extra daylight in the afternoon and evening. However, I will admit that many people will take advantage of the extra light in the afternoon and evenings by being active after work. Many people go home and plop on their couch instead of doing something active in the evenings. Therefore, I would argue that the extra daylight in the evenings is a false benefit and is more harmful than helpful.

For example, accidents increase during the time change because it is darker during commute time and because people are tired. Their bodies take a few days to adjust to the change in the time. Both of these statistics are documented by sleep doctors and transportation officials. In addition, my own experience proves that the time change affected my children when they were in school. The darkness in the morning made it tougher getting them out of bed and on the bus. They were tired and often fell asleep in class around the time change in the spring and fall. Therefore, the time change makes Americans less productive not more. I know this is true for me and my marketing company.

Hinders Writing

I said at the beginning that the time change isn't good for writing. In my experience, authors need a dedicated time to write. Some will rise at 4 a.m. and write before breakfast. Others will write at night. Some need nature to getinspiration. For me, I write most effectively in the morning. I usually have ideas bouncing around my head when I first wake. However, I need sunlight to be most effective and alert. When the country changes the clock ahead, I lose an hour of sunlight in the morning. It takes me longer to become alert and ready to write. That is why I believe that Daylight Savings Time hinders writing. Even though I have more daylight at night, I am usually worn from the day's work and don't want to write beyond 5 p.m. anyway. The sun gives me inspiration. The darkness tires me. My writing suffers. When the sunlight increases as spring progresses, I am more effective, but March is less productive for me because I have less sunlight when I want it – in the mornings.

Time Matters

The time authors write matters to them. They need to feel inspired and creative to put forth the words they need. Anything that might detract from their creativity matters. Consider how the time change might affect your writing. It is time that Daylight Savings Time be ended.