How to Cope With Falling Back as Daylight Saving Time Ends
Sparkle up the short, dark days with these nine smart ideas
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This coming Sunday at 2 a.m., daylight saving time comes to a screeching halt in most of the U.S. Pickups from after-school activities and postprandial strolls will have to happen after nightfall. And then, of course, for those of us in cold weather climates, there’s the winter chill not far behind. I hate it all.
The Sunshine Protection Act, which passed the Senate in 2022, would have put in place a never-ending daylight saving time across the land. But that push has since stalled, so most people are stuck with setting the clocks back again this fall.
Sleep scientists say that “falling back” puts us more in tune with our natural circadian rhythms anyway—and that’s better for our health. They’re even recommending perpetual standard time instead.
But what’s good for us is almost never what’s easy, and those of us who luxuriate in sunlit afternoons that stretch past the evening news could use a little help embracing the shorter days. To that end, we’ve gathered a few household items that can help keep things sparkly (either figuratively or literally) all winter long.
- Wyze Bulb Color
- Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System CP307
- Twinkly Strings
- AeroGarden Harvest 360
- Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520/60
- Meross MSG100 Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
- Bob's Discount Furniture Joanna Fireplace & Media Mantel
- Mitchell Black Don't Be Koi—Lighthouse Wallpaper by Julianne Taylor Style
- Behr Marquee (Home Depot)
Smart Bulb
Wyze Bulb Color
Never walk into a dark house at the end of the day again. The Wyze smart bulb is an affordable option that lights up your home just before you arrive. To ease into bedtime, adjust it to a warm red. Pretend you’re basking in the glow of sunset as you put away your devices—which, by the way, emit the blue light that can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin.
To learn more, see our guide to the best smart lightbulbs.
Just when the late-afternoon doldrums set in, this stellar coffee maker can produce a cup of mood-lifting tea if you program it that way. The tea-making filter basket is separate from the coffee-brewing one, so the flavors stay true. Green tea in particular has been scientifically associated with less depression. But I try to avoid caffeine after 4 p.m. and opt instead for tingly tisanes, such as peppermint or lemon ginger.
To learn more, see our guide to the best coffee makers.
String Lights
Twinkly Strings
A strand of string lights adds whimsy to a dark patio or stoop while also guiding you safely along the way. These Twinkly Strings can be pared down for an everyday glow or turbocharged (music included) for the holidays.
To learn more, see our staffer’s first-person review.
Countertop Indoor Garden
AeroGarden Harvest 360
For those who miss the fresh flavors from summer, the Harvest 360 hydroponic garden keeps the bounty going. Choose from pods that grow herbs, spices, vegetables, and flowers. It’s simple to set up and use, and you can (if you so choose) interact with an enthusiastic community of growers.
To learn more, see our guide to the best countertop indoor gardens.
Sunrise Alarm Clock
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520/60
Dark, chilly nights no longer feel so bad when a sunset-inspired glow cozies up your bedroom and lulls you to sleep. Of course, you should use the clock in the morning, too. The SmartSleep wakes you up with a faux sunrise that gradually unfolds into the luminescence of a bright spring day.
To learn more, see our guide to the best sunrise alarm clocks.
Smart Garage Door Opener Controller
Meross MSG100 Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
If you loathe the thought of having to crawl out from under a warm blanket and shuffle out to the garage to make sure you closed the garage door, this handy device can be your best pal. The MSG100 attaches to the opener you already own so that you can check the situation on your phone and—brilliant!—use a voice assistant to close (or open) the garage door.
To learn more, see our guide to the best smart garage door opener controllers.
Electric Fireplace
Bob's Discount Furniture Joanna Fireplace & Media Mantel
CR hasn’t tested electric fireplaces, but one of our home writers, Dan Wroclawski, has used this model for three years and counting. So much more charming than a space heater, this faux fire is kept roaring at his house almost 24/7 all winter, he says. You can run it with heat, but you can also save on the electric bill and run it without and still channel that same cozy, chic, ski-lodge vibe.
To warm up outdoors, see our guide to the best smokeless fire pits.
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Mitchell Black Don't Be Koi—Lighthouse Wallpaper by Julianne Taylor Style
When the view outside is bleary, a playful peel-and-stick wallpaper can brighten up your perspective. CR hasn’t tested these types of wallpaper yet, but one of our home writers, Tanya Christian, has hands-on experience with Mitchell Black. With just a few square feet to create an accent wall, she turned her basement closet into an impressive home office.
To learn more about how to apply peel-and-stick products, see Tanya’s story on her kitchen tile makeover.
A little splash of festive color on trim or cabinets can bring cheer to an entire room. Get started now (so you can crack open a window before the temperatures get too brutal), and you can revel in the results all winter long. This low-VOC paint covers dark walls well and resists stains, too, according to Consumer Reports’ tests.
To learn more, see our guide to the best interior paints.
