Get ready to ‘fall back’ next weekend

By Jenna Wilson

The yearly time change is almost upon us and experts are sharing tips on how to handle the transition as you turn back the clocks this fall.

Daylight Saving Time ends next weekend at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The return of Standard Time happens in autumn and involves turning clocks back by one hour.

“We’re going to have shorter days now,” said Stephanie Malita, health educator at the St. Joseph Health Department. “It’s tempting when you’ve got that extra hour on the actual night that Daylight Saving Time changes to stay up later than you normally would or get more activities in that day or weekend. But we recommend sticking with your schedule and have that routine in place.”

While gaining an extra hour of sleep in the fall may seem beneficial, even the slightest change to one’s internal clock can have negative health effects, including sleep disruption and depression.

“It’s known that the reduction in daylight hours is linked to higher rates of depression,” Malita said. “While it’s still early in the day, get outside and get some exercise because some of those activities are going to help maintain that equilibrium, both physically and mentally.”

Driving conditions also can worsen with the earlier sunset. The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges drivers to try and get at least seven hours of sleep at night and if you start to feel tired on the road, pull over to a safe spot.

“Before you go out there and take any type of trip, especially those out in the rural areas driving 30, 40 miles one way to work, make sure you’re well-rested, not only for your safety but the safety of all the other motorists out there on the roadways,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with the highway patrol.

Drivers should be aware that there still will be pedestrians out in the city and bicyclists and motorcycles on the roads.

For people with clocks that don’t automatically make the switch, it can be helpful to change timepieces right before bed on Nov. 2 rather than the next morning.