In the night from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, October 25, 2026, Ukraine will switch to winter time: at 04:00, clocks will be turned back one hour to 03:00. Formally, this provides an extra hour of sleep, but according to experts, these exact days are when the body experiences one of the most stressful periods of the year. Fatigue, sleep issues, irritability, and low mood become frequent companions of schedule changes, while wartime conditions often compound this with heightened anxiety and emotional slumps. Anastasia Patenko, a psychologist at the Betobee platform and psycho-educator, explained to Wave.RBC how to navigate this period comfortably and avoid mistaking normal adaptation for a more serious condition.
When and How Clocks Change in 2026
According to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution, the transition to winter time in Ukraine occurs on the last Sunday of October. In 2026, this falls on October 25, meaning the change will happen on the night of October 24–25: at 04:00, clocks are moved back to 03:00. Smartphones, computers, and other devices with automatic time updates usually adjust themselves, while mechanical clocks and non-auto-sync devices need to be reset manually. Therapists remind us that it typically takes about a week to a week and a half for the body to adapt to the new routine, so it is important to ensure proper sleep a few days prior — adults are recommended to aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
Why the Internal Clock 'Cannot Keep Up' with the Hands
The core problem of the transition is not the extra hour itself, but desynchronization. Internal biological clocks, or circadian rhythms, do not shift automatically along with the clock hands: they simply cannot keep up with the new schedule. Hormones regulating wakefulness and rest begin releasing at the wrong times, and this very 'desync' causes anxiety, lethargy, fatigue, irritability, and poor mood. 'With the time change, we don't just get an extra hour of sleep, but another disruption to our settings. You leave work or go outside in the evening, and it is already dark. There are still many winter, completely un-warm, and not very sunny days ahead,' Anastasia Patenko explains.
A Double Blow: Cortisol, Melatonin, and Serotonin
In late October, the body faces a dual factor: the artificial schedule shift coincides with the natural shortening of daylight hours. Under these conditions, levels of cortisol — the stress hormone — rise, while melatonin levels drop accordingly. This leads to irritability, exhaustion, and reduced concentration. Simultaneously, due to reduced daylight, the amount of serotonin — the so-called 'happiness hormone' — decreases. For people whose sleep is already disrupted by nighttime air raid alerts and irregular rest, this 'double blow' feels especially acute.
Daylight: The Main Adaptation Tool
Experts emphasize that sunlight and daylight are critically important for the brain to understand that morning has arrived, it is time to wake up, and mood needs stabilizing. Even under overcast skies, outdoor light is many times more intense than any indoor lamp. Therefore, you should open your curtains wide in the morning, especially when working from home, and take micro-breaks in the office to step out onto a balcony or outside — for at least 15 minutes during your lunch break — to get fresh air and your dose of daylight. Walks are beneficial even on cloudy days.
How to Gently Adapt Sleep Without Rigid Rules
The goal during the transition period is not to force yourself into rigid frameworks, but to adapt gently. The time you want to go to sleep and comfortably wake up may shift, and that is completely normal. The psychologist advises moving gradually: shifting bedtime by, say, only 15 minutes the first week, and 30 minutes the second week, so the body gets used to it without unnecessary stress. It is also important to structure your day so you look forward to the evening — adding not just light, but warmth: a pleasant scented candle, a cozy garland, returning to a favorite hobby, reading, or a TV show. Such rituals help to psychologically 'ground' oneself during a short and dark period.
When to Be Cautious
According to Anastasia Patenko, if the time change is not accompanied by a severe emotional slump down to apathy, persistent fatigue that does not resolve with sleep, or a lack of desire to do things that previously brought joy, the cause is likely just the autumn-winter transition rather than a disorder. In such cases, there is no need to panic; instead, pay attention to your own state and plan tasks with the understanding that they require more effort during short daylight hours than in summer. However, if mood drops, apathy, or chronic sleep deprivation persist and go beyond normal adaptation, it makes sense to consult a specialist.
