Love it or Hate It?

You know the old saying: spring forward, fall back. It helps us to remember how Daylight Saving Time affects our clocks twice each year.

During Daylight Saving Time, which begins in the spring, clocks are turned forward an hour, shifting an hour of light from the morning to the evening. When Daylight Saving Time ends in the fall, clocks are set back an hour and Standard Time resumes.

According to the present schedule—determined by the Energy Policy Act of 2005—the United States springs forward at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March, and falls back at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.  This is a change from the previous when it ended on the last Saturday of October. 

United States 2011 Daylight Saving Time Schedule: In the United States, Daylight Saving Time began on Sunday, March 13 and will revert to Standard Time on Sunday, November 6. Time changes in the United States take place at 2:00 a.m. local time.  Arizona and Hawaii have legislated laws exempting themselves from the practice of saving daylight.

European Union 2011 Summertime Schedule: In the European Union, Summertime began on Sunday, March 27 and ended on Sunday, October 30. Unlike the United States where time switches are staggered according to local time, all time zones in the European Union change simultaneously at 1:00 a.m Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Feelings about Daylight Saving Time range from loving it to hating it.  Many complaints deal with the inconvenience of changing numerous clocks and adjusting to a new sleep schedule. People who suffer with sleep disorders seem to find the bi-annual transitions more difficult. And according to studies, there are spikes in heart attacks and traffic accidents during the first week of Daylight Saving Time. There is also evidence that work productivity decreases as people adjust to a time change. For most people, however, Daylight Saving Time is merely a nuisance outweighed by other positive factors like additional daylight in the summer.

Incidentally, the correct term is daylight saving time, not daylight savings time. If you had it wrong, don't feel bad. More people Google the incorrect phrase than the correct one!,

So here's your chance - let us know-do you love or hate daylight saving time and why?