The arrival of autumn brings with it a ritual that shapes the way we experience the cold seasons: the transition to winter time, a moment awaited by many because, fundamentally, it “gives” us an extra hour of rest, although it also requires some adjustments to our daily routine.
Based on the dates set at European level, this year the change will take place on October 26, the last Sunday to Monday of the month: when the clocks strike 02h, you should set them back one hour, to 01h , in mainland Portugal and Madeira Island; in the Azores, the adjustment will be from 01h to 00h.
What to watch out for when changing the time?
The vast majority of cell phones, computers and digital watches already update automatically and instantly, so you only need to pay attention to other types of personal equipment, such as wristwatches, or household equipment, such as microwave clocks, bedside table clocks and car clocks, to name but a few.
Your body can also manifest itself in different ways with this time change: even if you get an extra hour’s rest, the truth is that any change in the sleep cycle can influence the circadian rhythm, the biological clock that regulates your energy and mood.
To mitigate any impact, make sure you:
- Maintain stable routines: keep consistent bedtimes and wake-up times;
- Expose yourself to natural light: first thing in the morning, to help your body adapt;
- Limit your long naps: you shouldn’t exceed 30 minutes so as not to disturb your night’s rest.
And bear in mind that, more than a technical change, an extra hour can be an invitation to slow down your pace, which can be used in a variety of ways, such as reading, cooking or simply enjoying the silence.
Will the time change last forever?
This practice, which always happens twice a year, now and then in March, when it changes to daylight saving time, dates back to the First World War, a measure that made it possible to save coal by maximizing the use of sunlight.
The truth is that these concerns still apply today, this time by synchronizing the hours of human activity with the hours of natural light, thus reducing energy consumption, which makes perfect scientific sense.
This measure is part of a European Union directive and ensures that all member states make the transition on the same dates.
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