When do we 'fall back'? How to prepare for the time change
Released on October 27, 2024, at 12:07 PM CDT.
Image file depiction (Credit: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP through Getty Images)
The transition from Daylight Saving Time to standard time is approaching. Soon, we'll sacrifice an extra hour of sleep in exchange for shorter evenings.
Adjusting to "falling back" should be gentler on your body than the shift in spring, but it might still take some time to get used to your new sleep routine. Plus, there are drawbacks to heading home from work when it's dark outside or trying to fit in exercise while there's still daylight.
Individuals experiencing seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression commonly associated with the shorter days and reduced sunlight during the fall and winter months, might also find it challenging.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming shift in time:
When Does Daylight Saving Time Start?
In the United States, daylight saving time concludes at 2 a.m. local time on November 3. This means you'll need to turn your clock back by one hour.
Standard time will remain in effect until March 9, when we will once again "spring forward" as daylight saving time returns.
Neuroscientist Dr. Karin Johnson sits down with Andy Mac from LiveNOW to talk about Daylight Saving Time and its possible effects.
Does Daylight Saving Time Disrupt Sleep?
Even a single hour shift in the clock can disrupt sleep patterns since, while the time may change, the start times for work and school remain unchanged.
RELATED: Study reveals a connection between poor sleep quality and accelerated brain aging.
This is concerning because a lot of people are already lacking enough sleep. Approximately one-third of adults in the U.S. average less than the suggested seven hours of sleep each night, and over half of teenagers in the country don’t achieve the recommended eight hours during the school week.
Lack of sleep is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, memory issues, weight gain, and various other health concerns.
Tips To Adjust To Daylight Saving Time
Some individuals attempt to adjust to a time change by gradually shifting their sleep schedules in the days leading up to the transition. There are strategies to make this adjustment smoother, such as spending more time in natural light to help realign your body's internal clock for better sleep.
ADDITIONAL: The American Stroke Association has published updated guidelines for preventing strokes.
Will The U.S. Ever Abolish Time Changes?
Certain health organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have advocated for eliminating the practice of changing clocks. They argue that maintaining standard time is more in harmony with natural daylight and our biological rhythms.
The majority of countries don't participate in daylight saving time. Among those that do, primarily in Europe and North America, the dates for changing the clocks differ.
Two states—Arizona and Hawaii—remain on standard time without making any changes.
Occasionally, politicians suggest eliminating the practice of changing the clocks altogether. A notable recent effort, which has since stalled, is a bipartisan proposal called the Sunshine Protection Act, aiming to keep daylight saving time in effect all year round. However, health professionals argue that the opposite should happen—standard time should be established as the permanent time.
