It can be difficult to remember when to change your clocks when we are springing forward and falling back, but it actually happens at the same time every year. We “spring” forward one hour on the second Sunday in March (at 2 a.m.) and we “fall” back one hour on the first Sunday in November (at 2 a.m.). So in the spring we loose one hour of sleep and in the fall we gain an hour of sleep (or so we would like to think). This is in a nationwide effort to reduce energy consumption largely developed during World War I and World War II.

How to Remember to Change Your Clocks

Changing your clocks can be a difficult task especially if you have several throughout your home. I have missed it before and wound up at the store an hour before it opened wondering where everyone was. I have also missed it and started traveling early in the morning not realizing I had an extra hour I could have slept in. So how do we remember? Well, many electronic clocks have a built in system and changes the time for you. If you have a new clock, you may want to check the owner’s manual to determine if your clock has an automatic system. Mine did and I didn’t realize it. I set my clock back one hour, losing an hour of sleep, and then when I woke up the next morning I didn’t realize the clock had subsequently set the time back an additional hour! I was quite confused for several hours on what the real time was.

Simple ways to to help you remember include writing the change on a desk calendar, programing it in your messaging system on your computer, or telling those you live with about the upcoming time change to help remember together. Or you can purchase an alarm clock with an automatic system.

Types of Alarm Clocks

As I mentioned, my alarm clock automatically changes from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time and back. Sony makes several products that can do this. One is the Sony AM/FM Clock Radio with Apple iPod Dock that can be purchased at Best Buy for around $100. Other Sony products also have this feature. When you are buying a new alarm clock look for the “Automatic time set and daylight saving time functions” this will “Ensure your clock is set to the right time.” The clock shows a little “sun clock” during Daylight Saving Time (see picture below) and this disappears when the clock returns to Standard Time (this helps you to know that your clock has changed settings).

In addition to Sony products, Timex also includes this technology. The Timex Dual Alarm Clock Radio XBBU Redi-Set Automatic Time Setting System and Jumbo Display (or similar Timex products) is available at Walgreens, Meijer, and other retailers for about $25.

The clocks are programmed to change according to the current time standards. If the time standards change I suppose we will all need to buy new clocks!

Taking the time to change your clocks seems trivial, but with busy lives surrounding work and play, many people do not have the time to mess with resetting their clocks. The easiest way is to purchase a new alarm clock that automatically adjust with the Daylight Saving Time.

Do you have any helpful tricks on how to remember to spring forward and fall back? We would love to know how to remember, so please feel free to post a message.