How to Cope With Falling Back as Daylight Saving Time Ends
Sparkle up the short, dark days with these nine CR-approved ideas
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This Sunday at 2 a.m., daylight saving time comes to a screeching halt. 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.
Sleep scientists say that turning back the clock leaves us in a place that’s more in tune with our natural circadian rhythms and is better for our health. They’re fighting the prospect of a never-ending daylight saving time (potentially set forth by the Sunshine Protection Act) and 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 can 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. (See our review of 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.
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. He’ll keep it on almost 24/7 during 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.
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Mitchell Black Abacus Yellow
When the view outside is bleary, a playful peel-and-stick can brighten up your perspective. CR hasn’t tested these types of wallpaper yet, but home writer Tanya Christian has hands-on experience with Mitchell Black. Just a small expanse was all it took for her to create an accent wall in a basement closet and turn it into an impressive home office.
A little splash of festive color on trim or cabinet doors 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.
