Daylight Saving Time Fall 2025

Daylight Saving Time has consequences

Daylight Saving Time Fall 2025 will begin on Sunday, November 2. At 2:00 a.m. that morning cocks are set back one hour, which gives us an extra hour of sleep. 

For at least the past four years, the US government has discussed cancelling the time change. For various reasons, they have not done this, so we must deal with it.

The positive benefit of daylight saving time is that it will be lighter in the mornings. What was 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, will become 6:00 a.m. on Sunday and will remain until Spring 2026.

Daylight Saving Time: The drawbacks

Unfortunately, there are more variables on the downside of Daylight Saving Time. It will become dark an hour earlier in the evenings until December 21st, the shortest day of the year.

From this point, daylight will begin increasing a little at a time until April, when the clocks are set ahead an hour again. Sleep, eating patterns, and mental health can be affected in the short term as you adjust to the one-hour change.

Decreasing options

Those who deal with night blindness or don't like driving in the dark may be limited to the hours they can drive safely. This can be distressing because, since COVID, many establishments open later in the day.

You may not be able to take advantage of the earlier morning sunshine to run errands or visit your favorite coffee shop or bakery. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and seasonal depression increase during this time of the year.

If you have mental health issues and receive therapy or take medications, continue to do so. Another consideration is to keep in touch with your physician or mental healthcare provider.

Combating the darkness

Vitamin D supplements have been recommended because natural sunlight contains D3. When you do not get enough sun, you deplete vitamin D3. There are also natural methods to boost your mood that may benefit everyone.

Eat healthy and get as much natural sunlight as possible each day, and work out at the gym. Consider walking, running, and hiking earlier in the morning to take advantage of the light.

Sit near windows in your home, and make sure the sun comes in. Sit on your porch on days when it is not too cold. I have found that house plants help me to think of spring, and they also purify the air. Caring for indoor plants gives me something to do to take my mind away from the time change.

Become creative during the darkness

Use local greenways, hiking trails, and neighborhood walks whenever possible. Keep in mind that the darkness does not last forever. Find things to do at home that keep your mind occupied as daylight becomes shorter. Read several books or binge-watch television shows or movies.

During the holiday season, you might consider enjoying what is offered at night. Attend bonfires, Christmas pageants, live nativity scenes, holiday light shows, parades etc. If you cannot drive in the dark, find someone who will give you a ride or use a ride share.

Additional methods

Decorate the outside of your home during the fall and winter holidays for extra light or put lights in your yard or driveway. Consider the adage "This too shall pass." Embrace the season rather than complaining about it, and do a countdown to when the darkness will subside. Another adage that may assist you is "Where there is a will, there is a way".

You might also want to invest in battery-powered lights that you can keep on at night to save on electricity. Some people find comfort in a television screen or having a light on. Before you know it, the time will have changed again, and there will be more light each day. Before you know it, Daylight Saving Time in April and November may not affect you as they once did.