Ditch the Switch, Keep Standard Time: Why the Headache Community Has a Stake in the Debate
Congress is closer than it has been in years to ending the twice-a-year clock change. But there is a big difference between ending the switch and choosing the right time to keep.
In July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act, H.R. 139, legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent.
The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy opposes the Sunshine Protection Act.
AHDA supports permanent standard time and the bipartisan Sunshine for Our Kids Act, H.R. 9638, introduced by Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) and Pat Harrigan (R-NC).
Why does a headache advocacy organization care what time is on the clock?
Because sleep, light and circadian rhythms are closely connected to neurological health, including migraine and headache disorders.
The Science Favors Standard Time
The debate is sometimes framed as a choice between more sunlight in the morning or more sunlight in the evening. But the amount of daylight does not change. What changes is how our clocks line up with the natural light-dark cycle.
Circadian rhythms help regulate sleep and wakefulness and are strongly influenced by light exposure. Morning light plays an important role in keeping the body’s internal clock aligned with the 24-hour day.
That is why the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends permanent standard time. Its position statement concludes that permanent standard time aligns best with human circadian biology and supports health and safety.
AHDA is also proud to be part of the Save Standard Time coalition, which brings together health, scientific and advocacy organizations supporting permanent standard time.
Why This Matters for Headache Disorders
People living with migraine are familiar with the relationship between sleep, changes in routine and attacks. Research is now looking specifically at what happens around the clock change.
A 2026 prospective study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine followed adults with episodic migraine before and after the spring transition from standard time to daylight saving time. Researchers found an increase in migraine days after the transition, along with a decrease in deep sleep.
Another study examining migraine patterns around seasonal time changes found a significant increase in migraine frequency during the week following the spring transition to daylight saving time. After the fall return to standard time, researchers observed a decrease in migraine frequency.
These studies do not tell us exactly what would happen under permanent daylight saving time. They do reinforce what people living with migraine already know; disruption to sleep and biological rhythms can matter.
The relationship between headache disorders and our internal clocks goes even deeper.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Neurology found significant circadian features in both migraine and cluster headache.
The relationship was especially pronounced in cluster headache, where attacks can occur at predictable times of day and cluster periods can follow seasonal patterns. The review also found evidence of circadian patterns in migraine and identified connections involving the hypothalamus, a region of the brain involved in regulating circadian rhythms.
For the headache community, circadian health is directly relevant.
Two Bills. Two Different Futures.
There is broad agreement that changing the clocks twice a year should end. The question is what comes next.
Sunshine Protection Act: Permanent Daylight Saving Time
The Sunshine Protection Act, H.R. 139 passed the House on July 14, 2026, by a vote of 308–117 and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The bill would make daylight saving time permanent in most of the country. During the months when we currently observe standard time, sunrise and sunset would occur an hour later by the clock.
AHDA opposes the Sunshine Protection Act.
Sunshine for Our Kids Act: Standard Time as the Default
The bipartisan Sunshine for Our Kids Act, H.R. 9638, introduced by Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Pat Harrigan, would make standard time the national default.
States would retain the ability to adopt permanent daylight saving time through state law if they choose.
AHDA supports the Sunshine for Our Kids Act.
The Sunshine for Our Kids Act has been introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. There is not currently a Senate companion bill.
We Tried Permanent Daylight Saving Time Before
The United States has tried year-round daylight saving time before.
Congress enacted year-round daylight saving time in 1974 during the energy crisis. The policy quickly became unpopular, with dark winter mornings raising particular concerns for children traveling to school. Congress reversed the policy later that year.
Permanent daylight saving time would again push winter sunrise an hour later by the clock. In some parts of the country, sunrise would not occur until well after 8 a.m., and in some areas after 9 a.m.
For a policy that would affect when Americans wake, work, learn and sleep every day, health evidence should be part of the decision.
Ditch the Switch. Keep Standard Time.
The headache community has a stake in this debate.
Migraine and cluster headache have important connections to sleep and circadian rhythms. Research continues to deepen our understanding of those relationships, and major medical and scientific organizations support permanent standard time as the option that best aligns with human circadian biology.
AHDA supports ending the twice-yearly clock change.
We believe Congress should do it the right way.
Support the Sunshine for Our Kids Act. Oppose the Sunshine Protection Act. Ditch the switch and save standard time.
Take Action
Congress is deciding which path the country will take.
TAKE ACTION: Tell your elected officials to support permanent standard time and the Sunshine for Our Kids Act and oppose the Sunshine Protection Act.
Learn More
Learn more about the science and the movement for permanent standard time from the Save Standard Time coalition.
This information is provided for general educational and advocacy purposes and is not intended as medical advice.