Scientists say Maryland should keep standard time, not daylight saving year-round

As Maryland prepares to end daylight saving time this weekend, scientists are weighing in on the debate over whether to keep clocks on daylight saving time permanently. The Baltimore Banner reported that while many Maryland lawmakers support the Sunshine Protection Act to maintain daylight saving time year-round, experts caution this is not the best choice.

Vadim Zipunnikov, a Johns Hopkins University professor of biostatistics, explained that locking clocks to standard time is preferable because morning sunlight helps regulate natural body rhythms. He said depriving people of morning light by staying on daylight saving time can have negative health effects.

Research from Stanford Medicine supports this view, finding that permanent standard time could reduce strokes and obesity rates, whereas permanent daylight saving time offers fewer benefits. Organizations such as the National Sleep Foundation and the American Medical Association also recommend year-round standard time due to increased risks of car crashes, heart attacks, and depression following the biannual clock changes.

Zipunnikov acknowledged that many people resist losing late afternoon sunlight, especially during Maryland winters when daylight is already limited. However, he advised maintaining consistent sleep schedules and gradually adjusting to the time change this weekend to ease the transition.