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Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time? Daylight saving time is the period between spring and fall when people adjust their clocks to better align with more hours of daylight. In March, we "spring forward," setting clocks one hour ahead to get more sunlight in the evening. In November, we "fall back," rewinding one hour to get extra light in the morning. Overall, the purpose of DST is simple: to add more sunlight to your day. And optimizing natural sunlight has its perks, including: • More time to enjoy outdoors. Whether you prefer a morning jog or gardening after work, there's sunlight to do the activities you love. • Safer streets and roadways. Drivers and pedestrians benefit from better visibility during daytime hours. • A boosted mood. Getting outside and taking in the sun increases your serotonin levels, making you feel calmer and happier. The Down Side of the Clock Shift Though often linked to farmers, daylight saving was really introduced to conserve energy. With DST, farmers actually lose precious morning light, which can disturb crop production. Plus, they must modify animal routines and fieldwork accordingly. But it's not just farmers who are affected; many people experience these drawbacks: • Sleep deprivation. The sudden transition can interrupt sleep patterns, resulting in grogginess, fatigue, and a misalignment of your internal clock. • Exacerbated health issues. Poor sleep and shorter days may worsen existing conditions like depression, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). • Routine disruptions. Because children thrive on predictable routines, daylight saving time can be tough on them. Sleep interference can cause problems with attention spans, energy levels, impulsivity, and moods. How to Handle Daylight Saving Time like a Pro DST can stress your body and mind. To get prepared and minimize disruptions, you should: • Gradually adjust your schedule. Slowly moving your sleep and wake times by 15-20 minutes, starting one week before the time change, makes acclimation smoother. Consider altering daily routines like meals and exercise, too. • Set your clocks in advance. Although the switch doesn't happen until 2 a.m., updating your manual watch and clocks to the new time before bed helps prevent morning mishaps. • Nap strategically. It's okay to take a nap on time-change day. However, keep it short—a 20-minute power nap before lunchtime is all you need for an instant refresh. • Stick to your evening regimen. Quality sleep comes from healthy habits. For enhanced snoozing, make a relaxing routine and stick to it. Turn off devices at least one hour before bedtime, limit caffeine and alcohol, and create a dark environment that encourages sleep. • Soak up the sun. Getting 10-15 minutes of light exposure first thing in the morning can regulate your internal clock and elevate mood and energy levels. • Ignore the "real time." Don't think about what time it "really" is. Go to sleep and wake up at your usual time, no matter what the sun is doing. As the crisp fall air rushes in, there's a big event looming in the background: the conclusion of daylight saving time (DST). Soon, many will be shuffling their schedules and reorganizing their days in anticipation of the one-hour time change. With the 2 a.m. clock switch happening on Sunday, November 2, here's everything you need to know about managing the transition as easily as possible. How Long Has Daylight Saving Been Around? The quick shift in one's day isn't anything new. Back in July 1908, Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada, first enacted DST. Ten years later, both standard time and daylight saving time became law in the United States, followed shortly by formal adoption in Canada. Mexico introduced DST nationwide in 1996, but most of the country transitioned to permanent standard time in 2022. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 39