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when do time clocks go back ?

# When Do Time Clocks Go Back?

**Introduction**

Are you ever left second-guessing whether you’ve set your alarm correctly because of Daylight Saving Time (DST)? It’s a common struggle, especially when the clocks go back. This annual adjustment can disrupt routines and schedules, causing some confusion. In this article, we’ll explore when the time clocks go back and provide a quick overview of the reasons behind these changes.

**When the Time Clocks Go Back in the UK**

In the United Kingdom, the clocks move forward by one hour at 1:00 AM on the last Sunday in March and then backward by one hour at 2:00 AM on the last Sunday in October. This means that for most of the year, the clocks are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

**The Details in 2023**

For the year 2023, this translates to:
– Moving forward on March 26th, 2023.
– Moving backward on October 29th, 2023.

**What Exactly Does Changing Time Mean?**

Changing the clocks by one hour means that in the autumn, the evening will fall one hour earlier and when the clocks go forward in the spring, the evening will fall one hour later. Hence, the daylight hours are moved later in the day during the summer months, making the early evenings brighter, and the mornings darker during the winter months.

**Why Do We Change the Time?**

The main motivation for Daylight Saving Time is to take advantage of natural daylight in the evenings for a longer period of time. In theory, the added daylight in the evening saves on lighting and other energy costs as well. It also supports outdoor activities and can be considered good for mental health with the extra light in the later part of the day.

**The Future of Daylight Saving Time**

There has been discussion in recent years in the UK on the subject of whether to make the switch to permanent Daylight Saving Time, meaning the clocks would go forward in the spring and remain in that position throughout the year. However, official changes to this system would require a significant legislative change and widespread agreement.

**Why Is It Confusing?**

Remembering the change — especially since the information can be different for various countries — can be quite confusing. The easiest way to stay informed is to follow updates from official government websites like [Gov.UK](https://www.gov.uk/when-do-the-clocks-change).

**Tips for Adjusting**

– Set your devices to auto-update: Most modern smartphones, computers, and smart-home devices automatically change their times. Make sure these devices are set to update time zones automatically.
– Plan in advance: Plan your schedules around the time change to avoid any confusion.
– Adapt gradually: After the change, try to adjust your sleep patterns gradually to coincide with the new time.

**Conclusion**

Though the process of changing the clocks is perhaps one of the least glamorous parts of our annual routine, it’s rooted in the practical benefits of daylight. Understanding when these changes occur and what to expect both in the run-up to the change (if you’re not on devices that automatically update) and during the times of change can help to reduce stress and confusion.

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**References and Further Reading**

– [GOV.UK – When do the clocks change?](https://www.gov.uk/when-do-the-clocks-change)
– [BBC News – When do the clocks go back? Big Ben set for timely change](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63404284)
– [Yahoo News – When do the clocks go back in October 2022 and why do they change?](https://news.yahoo.com/clocks-back-october-2022-why-073058500.html)
– [Almanac.com – Daylight Saving Time 2023: When Does the Time Change?](https://www.almanac.com/content/when-daylight-saving-time)
– [Newsweek – Daylight Saving: When do clocks go forward? Time changes explained](https://www.newsweek.com/daylight-saving-when-clocks-go-forward-why-1784005)
– [Axios – Daylight savings time change 2023 starts Sunday with spring forward](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/09/time-change-daylight-savings-spring-2023)
– [The Sun – When do the clocks go back? ](https://www.the-sun.com/news/6353038/clocks-go-back/)
– [NBC Chicago – Daylight Saving Time 2023: When do clocks change this weekend?](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/daylight-saving-time-sunday-spring-forward-time-change/3092341/)
– [USA Today – Daylight saving time 2023: When does time change? Do we lose an hour?](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/02/11/daylight-saving-time-sunday-march-12/11230886002/)
– [MassLive – Daylight saving time 2023: Here’s when clocks will change](https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/03/daylight-saving-time-2023-heres-when-clocks-will-change.html)

So remember, clock-changing time is arrival and departure for a bit more light in the evening. Soon after, the clocks will advance into spring and then return in the autumn. Stay tuned for more interesting topics!

Enjoy the extra hour and let the changing of the seasons bring new activities into your life!