Clocks Fall Back Sunday: Make Dark Mornings Easier

Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, November 1, so the clocks fall back an hour. You get an extra hour in bed, but you also get mornings that start in the dark for the next few months. A few small changes this weekend make that first week a lot less jarring.

Start the morning with soft light, not a ceiling light

Flipping on an overhead light in a pitch-black bedroom is the harshest possible start. A small bedside light you can set low is friendlier. The Ultra Luxury Slim & Sleek 3 Way Modes & Stepless Dimmable LED Touch Lamp has a touch sensor dimmer with three color temperatures (white, warm and warm white) and brightness you can long-press anywhere from 10% to 100%. It is cordless and battery powered, so it can sit on a nightstand, move to the hallway, or go downstairs with you while the coffee brews.

Protect the sleep you just gained

The clock change tends to shift everyone's wake-up time for a few days, and early light through the blinds does not help. A contoured mask is an easy fix. The 3D Sleeping Eye Mask uses slow-rebound memory foam with a deeper eye space than a flat mask, so there is no pressure on your eyes and you can still blink freely. The buckle strap is fully adjustable and designed not to catch hair, which matters if you are the one up first.

Make the first ten minutes faster

Dark mornings go better when fewer decisions are left until morning. A short list of things to do the night before:

• Lay out tomorrow's clothes, including a jacket by the door
• Pack bags, lunches and anything that has to leave the house with you
• Set up the coffee maker so it only needs a button
• Put keys, wallet and phone charger in one spot you can find in low light
• Leave one small light on in the hallway or kitchen

For the coffee itself, a lidded mug means you can take it with you instead of standing in the kitchen waiting to finish it. The Stainless steel Double Wall Vacuum Insulation Travel Mug with Lid is double-walled and vacuum insulated to keep a hot drink hot, is BPA-free, and has a lid that comes apart for easy cleaning. It comes in several finishes, including classic silver and rose gold.

Give the kids a few days

Younger kids do not reset on a schedule, so expect early wake-ups through midweek. Moving bedtime later in 15-minute steps over several nights is gentler than one big jump, and a dim light in their room helps them settle back down without a full wake-up. Keeping breakfast and leaving times the same gives the week something steady to hang on.

Dark mornings are easier when the house is set up for them. Browse the full VIGOR collection to get your home, kitchen and daily routine ready for the season ahead.