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Embracing Extra Time: What Will You Do with Your Hour?

As daylight saving time approaches, how can we maximize our one extra hour?

By Melissa KirschSource: nytimes.com1 min read

In brief

With the end of daylight saving time, we contemplate how to make the most of that coveted extra hour, whether it be through productivity or rest.

As the clock prepares to fall back an hour this Sunday, the arrival of daylight saving time prompts everyone to ponder their newfound extra hour of time. For some, it may mean an additional hour of sleep or a chance to dive into productive activities. Each November, many like to subscribe to the idea of transforming into a more disciplined person—one who would wake up an hour earlier for meditation, exercise, or planning. The hopeful thoughts of journaling, cooking a healthy breakfast, or enjoying a morning walk often vanish when the sun rises—leading to the cozy comfort of slipping back under the covers.Despite the initial excitement around this extra hour, the reality is often unremarkable. One could argue that while it’s just one hour, the perception of time can shift dramatically as days grow shorter in the chill of autumn. With that scarcity of daylight, every hour seems to carry a weightier significance, igniting reflections on how we truly spend our time as we approach the end of the year.One helpful practice that has gained traction is the ritual of changing smoke detector batteries in sync with the clock adjustments. This simple but vital reminder could lead individuals to consider other "life-enhancing" endeavors they could take on during the seasonal time change. Making a commitment to complete one task from a list of aspirations—silly or serious—could offer a fresh start through to spring.For those less inclined toward ambitions, there’s always the pure joy of indulging in that extra hour by sleeping in or relishing a slow-moving morning. A previously mentioned tip is also to set the clocks back at a moment that you would love to experience again—perhaps turning a breakfast moment into an afternoon delight. As the end of daylight saving time approaches, it’s a chance to redefine how we cherish time.

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