In the United States, the change from daylight saving time to winter time occurs every year on the first Sunday in November. At that time, the clocks are set back one hour, which means that at 2:00 a.m. the clocks return to 1:00 a.m. This adjustment, known as “end of daylight saving time,” is intended to make better use of daylight hours during the darker months.
The main reason for this practice is to save energy. During daylight saving time, the days are longer, so moving the clocks forward one hour in the spring allows people to take more advantage of sunlight, reducing the use of electricity for lighting and heating. When autumn arrives and the days get shorter, resetting the clocks means that people don’t have to start their daily day completely in the dark, which is more comfortable for most people.
In addition to energy savings, another benefit is that the time change helps to better synchronize work and school schedules with daylight hours, which can improve people’s well-being and safety, especially by reducing traffic accidents during the early morning hours.
Although there are debates about the effectiveness and necessity of continuing to make these changes, it is a custom that has been in practice for decades in many countries, including the United States, where each year we adapt to this ritual of moving the hands of the clock.
Benefits of turning the clocks back one hour in winter
Here is a list of the benefits of changing the clocks from summer to winter time:
- Energy savings: By making more use of natural daylight hours, electricity consumption for lighting and heating is reduced, especially during the summer.
- Better use of sunlight: By setting clocks earlier in the spring, more daylight hours are enjoyed during the afternoon, which encourages outdoor activities.
- Improved road safety: Setting the clocks in autumn means that people do not have to start their daily activities in the dark, which helps reduce traffic accidents in the early hours of the day.
- Synchronization with natural rhythms: Adjusting the time allows work and school schedules to better coincide with sunrise, which can improve people’s well-being and performance.
- Promotion of outdoor activities: During daylight saving time, longer evenings invite more outdoor activities, which can have a positive impact on health and well-being.
- Stimulus to the economy: Longer evenings tend to generate an increase in consumption, as people tend to make more purchases and participate in recreational activities outside the home.
- Reduced use of artificial lighting: With more hours of natural daylight, the need for artificial lighting during the day is reduced, which contributes to energy savings.
- Mental health benefits: Having more daylight hours at the end of the day can improve mood and reduce symptoms of light-related disorders, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder.
This time change, although controversial for some, still brings several benefits in terms of energy savings, safety and quality of life.