Spring forward: Utahns adjust to time change, lost hour of sleep
Mar 8, 2026, 6:44 PM
The clock on the Salt Lake City and County Building is pictured on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The change brings longer evenings, meaning more daylight after work and school. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — If you woke up feeling a little groggy this morning, you’re not alone. Clocks sprang forward overnight, meaning many people started their Sunday with one less hour of sleep.
Daylight Saving Time officially began at 2 a.m. local time. The change brings longer evenings, meaning more daylight after work and school.
“Now the sun goes down later, so that will be nice to take advantage of,” Salt Lake City resident Deirdra Victor told KSL TV.
Why you feel tired after the time change
Experts say losing that hour can create a “jet lag” feeling, affecting concentration, mood and even metabolism. It can take a few days for people to adjust to the change. They recommend getting sunlight in the morning and maintaining a consistent routine to help your body reset.
“That’s what our family is sticking with,” said Sarah Noe-Danzl, a part-time Salt Lake City resident. “We’re going to keep eating at six, when maybe now it’s seven — and just try to continue leveling everybody out. Same bedtimes, same wakeup times, all of those things.”
Experts also caution that this sleep loss and circadian rhythm misalignment can have real-world consequences. Studies show that heart attacks and car accidents tend to increase in the days after daylight saving time, so they advise getting extra rest and being mindful on the roads.
Lawmakers and the debate over time change
The debate over this twice-a-year change has intensified, but so far, efforts to end it have not progressed. Nineteen states, including Utah, have passed legislation to adopt year-round daylight saving time. However, these laws are contingent on federal approval from Congress, which has not yet passed a nationwide, permanent change. So for now, most of the country will continue adjusting clocks twice per year.
“I am a strong believer that we should stop switching back and forth,” said Salt Lake resident Aven Giravi. “I think we should stay on what we are now, because I love the extra daylight later in the day — if we could keep the daylight through the wintertime, I would be a fan.”
“I would love if we could just be consistent,” Noe-Danzl added. “This is now 2026 — if we could be on a more similar timezone, it would be so nice.”
Other reading: Daylight saving time or standard time? Sleep doctor weighs in on which is better year-round
