STUDY: 'Falling Back' Causes Greater Decline in Mood Than 'Springing Forward'

An analysis of U.S. online and social media posts revealed that individuals’ emotional states tend to decline during the twice-yearly transitions to Daylight Saving Time in spring and Standard Time in fall. This decline in mood is notably stronger following the shift back to Standard Time in the autumn. The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.

Seasonal time change refers to the practice of adjusting clocks twice annually. In the spring, clocks are set forward by one hour to begin Daylight Saving Time, typically occurring in March. This adjustment is often described as "losing" an hour of sleep. Conversely, in the fall, clocks are turned back by one hour to return to Standard Time, usually in October or November, which is referred to as "gaining" an extra hour of sleep.

The rationale behind these time changes is to optimize daylight usage during longer days. In spring, evenings experience more daylight while mornings become darker. In fall, mornings gain more light, but evenings grow darker earlier. These shifts can temporarily disrupt sleep schedules and daily habits.

Nonetheless, studies indicate that these time changes correlate with negative public moods. The transitions also interfere with sleep, elevate the risk of accidents and health problems, and may negatively affect cognitive performance. There is an ongoing discussion about whether to implement permanent Daylight Saving Time or permanent Standard Time, as each option carries distinct consequences for sleep, health, and everyday life.

Daylight Saving Time is currently observed in most regions of the United States and Canada, parts of Australia and New Zealand, and the majority of European nations. Many countries near the equator have discontinued or never adopted the practice due to minimal seasonal daylight variation. Similarly, Russia and Turkey have ceased adjusting their clocks.