When do we “come back”? How to prepare for the time change

FILE photo illustration (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

The switch from DST is approachingwhen we trade an extra hour of sleep for less natural light.

“Falling back” should be easier on your body than the spring time change, but it can still take some time to adjust your sleep habits, not to mention the downsides of leaving work in the dark or try exercise while there is still enough light.

Some people with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression typically associated with the shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may also struggle.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming time change:

When does the time change?

Daylight saving time in the US ends at 2am local time on November 3rd, which means turning your clocks back an hour.

Standard Time will last until March 9th, when we will “forward” again with the return to daylight saving time.

Does changing time affect sleep?

Even a clock change can throw off your sleep schedule—because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same.

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This is a problem because so many people are already sleep deprived. About 1 in 3 US adults sleep less than the recommended seven hours a night, and more than half of US teenagers do not get more than the recommended eight hours on weeknights.

Lack of sleep is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

How to prepare for the time change

Some people try to prepare for the shock of the time change by changing their bedtimes little by little in the days leading up to the change. There are ways to ease the adjustment, including getting more sunlight to help reset your circadian rhythm for healthy sleep.

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Will the US ever escape the weather changes?

Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said it’s time to ditch the time switches and that keeping standard hours better aligns with the sun — and human biology.

Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do – mostly in Europe and North America – the date the clocks are changed varies.

Two states – Arizona and Hawaii – are not changing and remain on standard time.

Lawmakers occasionally propose getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill called the Sunshine Protection Act, proposes to make daylight saving time permanent. Health experts say lawmakers have it back – standard time should be permanent.