Time to 'fall back' an hour

It’s time, folks. The sun angle is becoming lower in the horizon, mornings are darker, the evenings are cozier and you just might get the urge to put your pajamas on a little earlier. It’s time to set the clocks back to standard time… for most U.S. residents.

At 2 a.m., November 5th, much of the U.S. will “fall back” one hour to standard time. EDT will become EST, the sunset will feel much earlier than usual, and many commuters heading to work in the dark in the mornings will also return home in the dark.

A big perk of Sunday, November 5th, is that we get an extra hour of sleep! However, this could really throw off your schedule a bit so be sure to go about your week afterwards slowly and maybe with a good sense of humor.

As for residents in Arizona and Hawaii, don’t worry. It’s just a normal Sunday for you. Arizona hasn’t practiced daylight saving time since 1967 while Hawaii has never observed it. There is an exception, however. The Navajo Reservation in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico observes the time change.

Territories such as the American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico do not participate in the clocks “springing forward” or “falling back.”

While falling back an hour on November 5th may make you feel a bit off, the lack of sunlight the northern hemisphere will receive until the Winter Solstice on December 21 will only add to the “off” feelings.

In many cases, this results in seasonal affective disorder. The lack of sunlight affects our mood as sunlight helps the brain release the happy hormone, serotonin. Without much sun, the hormone levels can dip, affecting our mood. Exercising, avoiding heavy meals, sticking to your schedule and routine, as well as taking vitamin D supplements can help!

We have been losing daylight since the Summer Solstice on June 20. Although Earth actually moves closer to our light and heat source this time of year and through January, the northern hemisphere is tilted away, limiting the light and heat we receive.

When the sun is out, however, even during the cold winter months, try to soak up as much as you can. This will help your mood as well as increase the vitamin D levels in your body!