On the night between Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October 2025 at 3:00 am, solar time will return. Clocks will have to be set back one hour, i.e. from the current 3:00 to 2:00. In practice you “gain” an hour of sleep, but the day is shortened from the afternoon onwards.
This change marks the start of the timetable’s winter period: an annual ritual that many know about, but few really reflect on what it entails.
More sun in the morning, darkness earlier in the evening
The term “solar time” means the conventional time that comes into force in autumn/winter, unlike “summer time”, which is implemented in spring/summer to make the most of daylight.
When the clock is turned back an hour, two things happen: in the morning there will be an extra hour of light, which means waking up in better light conditions than during daylight saving time; in the evening, however, darkness will arrive earlier, and the days will seem shorter.
This shift is not just a symbolic act: it changes the distribution of natural light with respect to our daily rhythm, and partly also with respect to our biological clock.
Which devices update themselves – which don’t
In an increasingly digital world, not all time indicators require manual intervention when changing. Good news for those who use modern devices: computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) generally include a setting to “automatically adjust for daylight saving time”. For example, in Windows 11 there is an option that allows this update independently.
Smartwatches and smart watches that synchronize via the network or with your smartphone often update themselves, but this is not guaranteed for all models: in some cases you need to check that the automatic function is active.
Traditional alarm clocks (analog or digital), clocks that are not connected or require manual intervention, do not update themselves: in these cases the user must act and move the hands or change the time. If you forget, you risk waking up an hour “out of phase” compared to the rest of the day.
Effects on the body, health and daily routine
The transition to standard time involves a mix of advantages and disadvantages, which are worth knowing realistically.
On the positive side, “gaining” an hour of sleep is certainly a moment enjoyed by many. The mornings are a little brighter, which can help those who get up early for work or school.
But there are less trivial aspects. Studies indicate that the change of time modifies circadian rhythms, i.e. our “internal clock” which regulates sleep, wakefulness, hormones and metabolism. For some people, especially those with sleep problems, with an evening chronotype (“nocturnal”), with cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, this adjustment may be more difficult.
Among the reported effects are: difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, decreased concentration, increased irritability or unstable mood. In some cases, there is a slight increase in cardiovascular events in the week following the change. While not dramatic, it is indicative of how the body reacts to an internal “mini jet lag”.
Furthermore, as it gets dark earlier, some evening activities are penalized: going out for a walk, playing outdoor sports, or simply being in the sun after work may become less feasible. For those who already suffer from mood disorders, reduced light can be an additional stressor.
Energy saving, the environment and why the debate remains open
In addition to the personal and health effects, there is an economic and environmental dimension. The summer/winter time system was also created to save on artificial lighting and to make better use of daylight. In Italy, for example, significant savings in terms of electricity and household spending have been calculated in the seven months of summer time in 2025.
Nonetheless, the debate is heated: various medical associations and scientific societies believe that the six-monthly change of time no longer makes sense, given that technology and lifestyles have changed, and are calling for the adoption of fixed time throughout the year.
In short: yes, the time changes every year, but that doesn’t mean it always has to. The issue is far from closed.
