Don’t let early sunsets kill your daily walk post daylight savings
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When the clocks “fall back”, early sunsets can cause problems for anyone who takes evening walks. Here’s how to adapt.

Sara Tonks
BySara Tonks•
2 days agoUpdated: November 1, 2026, 7:10 am ESTPublished: November 1, 2026, 9:14 am EST

Adapting evening walks to earlier sunsets post daylight saving time

The end of daylight saving time is great for mornings and sunny commutes to work, but it can spell trouble for anyone who prefers to take their daily walks after work. But getting home after the sun has set doesn’t mean you should let the healthy routine end.

It just means it’s time to adapt.

Fight your oversleeper instincts

Waking up early may feel like the end of the world for your energy levels in the moment, but getting up and getting outside for a morning walk actually sets you up for more energy all day long.

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Morning sunlight helps regulate your circadian rhythm, helping your brain know when you’re supposed to be awake and when you’re supposed to be asleep.

The boost of dopamine and serotonin primes you for a positive mood for the rest of the day, and elevated cortisol levels give you a much needed surge of morning energy.

If timing is key

“Get up earlier” doesn’t work if your mornings are already hectic and tight on time, so it may be more useful to adapt your evening walks rather than to reschedule them.

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Move it or lose it: One option is to just move your walks indoors. Walking pads are an easy, low impact way to get some exercise without leaving your house, though–in a pinch–you could also just walk laps around your living room.

(MORE: Fall back hits these places hardest, with sunsets before 4:30 p.m.)

If you can’t get a moment of peace at home or your brain needs a change in scenery, you could move your evening walk to a local gym or even the mall, where there’s plenty of ground to cover and people watching to enjoy.

Light it up: If all else fails and you want to stick to your standard schedule and route, there are ways to make outdoor evening walks safer.

Add reflective layers to your outfit, such as vests or shoes. Make sure that drivers can easily see you to minimize the possibility of getting struck by a car because of the lowered visibility at night.

Wearing a headlamp will make you easier to spot and help with your own ability to see, keeping you from getting caught off guard by hazards on the sidewalk and protecting your eyes from straining to see. 

What’s most important is that you don’t let the changing of a clock completely interrupt your healthy habits and routines. Try different options for adapting to see what works best, and enjoy the fall season

Sara Tonks is a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, along with a master’s degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.

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