Spring forward and fall back - The daylight saving time survival guide
- Cami
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Hey there!
Have you ever woken up and realised your phone’s clock changed overnight? That is daylight saving time (DST) doing its thing. Like it or not, it is that time of year again when we adjust our clocks; either losing or gaining an hour of sleep in the process.
But why do we do this? Where did it come from? And most importantly, how can you remember whether to move the clock forward or back? Let’s break it down.
A brief history of losing sleep
Quick disclaimer: There are many theories about the origins of daylight saving time, but none have been 100% confirmed as the true story. This one is our favourite, let us know if you have heard a different version!
Daylight time was originally introduced to make better use of daylight during the warmer months. The idea dates back to Benjamin Franklin, who jokingly suggested that waking up earlier would save on candle usage (a very practical concern at the time). Fast forward to World War I, and many countries adopted daylight saving time to conserve energy. Today, it is still used in various parts of the world, though not everyone is a fan of it (understandably).
How to remember the change
The easiest way to remember whether you should set your clock forward or backward is this handy phrase:
🕰️ Spring forward and fall back
In spring, clocks move forward by one hour (meaning you lose an hour of sleep, sorry).
In autumn (fall), clocks move back by one hour (hello, extra sleep!).
If that does not stick, try this:
👉 "Lose an hour in March, gain it back in October."
Or, if you prefer an emotional approach:
😭 Spring: You lose an hour of sleep.
😌 Autumn: You finally get it back.
Expressions & phrases related to time changes
Since we are talking about time, here are a few English expressions related to clocks, time, and change:
⏳ Better late than never = doing something late is better than not doing it at all
🕐 Against the clock = rushing to meet a deadline
🔄 Turn back the clock = to return to the past or to a previous way of doing things
💤 Lose sleep over something = to worry about something so much that you cannot sleep
What now?
So, now that you know what is coming, make sure you adjust your clocks in a few days (or let your phone do it for you). And if you are using English in everyday life, try slipping some of these expressions into your conversations!
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Benjamin & Cami
