Cuyahoga County Clocks Roll Back One Hour Sunday

Residents across Cuyahoga County will gain an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning when clocks fall back from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. local time. The shift marks the end of Daylight Saving Time and a return to Standard Time. Sunrises and sunsets will occur earlier in the coming weeks.

Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine physician, compares the biannual clock change to an hour of jet lag. He notes that while the adjustment can be difficult for some, the transition to Standard Time generally aligns better with human biology. Dr. Andrea Matsumura, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, agrees that most people find this specific shift easier to handle than the spring change. She states that losing an hour of sleep in March requires more effort to adjust than gaining one in November.

Sleep experts recommend that residents stick to their regular bedtime routines in the days leading up to the change. Matsumura advises against shifting sleep schedules early, unlike the strategy used for the March transition. She suggests continuing standard sleep hygiene practices, such as getting morning daylight and limiting late-afternoon caffeine. Dimitriu adds that light physical activity in the morning, like a walk, and avoiding heavy evening meals can also help manage the transition.

The clock change is currently mandated by federal law, which requires most states to switch twice a year. Hawaii and most of Arizona are the primary exceptions, as they observe Standard Time year-round. Federal law does not permit states to opt out of the cycle in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time. A measure called the Sunshine Protection Act would change this rule. If passed, it would make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide, though states could still choose to stay in Standard Time.

The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House in July with bipartisan support. The bill now faces an uncertain path in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told POLITICO earlier this month that there is no clear path forward or consensus on the measure. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has criticized the proposal, arguing that permanent Daylight Saving Time would result in much later sunrises. Critics warn that this would force people in parts of the country to start school and work in the dark.

President Donald Trump continues to advocate for the bill, despite opposition from some lawmakers and sleep experts. In early October, Trump accused Cotton of holding up the legislation. He urged his followers on Truth Social to call Cotton directly to express support for the Sunshine Protection Act. The next time Cuyahoga County residents will adjust their clocks is in March 2027, when Daylight Saving Time begins again.