Navigating November Changes: Sleep, Insurance, and Elections

Updated November 8, 2025

Change often seems to happen slowly, especially when we want something quickly. Sometimes change happens suddenly and dramatically, like when the world was plunged into a viral pandemic six years ago.

Some notable changes will happen in November, at least in the United States, and they can have a direct effect on our individual and collective health.

• Time- from Daylight Saving to Standard
• Healthcare-changing Medicare, ACA, or employer-sponsored health plans
• Elections-Voters choose among candidates to fill multiple federal, state, and local offices

Daylight Saving Time ends on November 2

In most of the United States and Canada, we will resume standard time on Sunday, November 2 at 2 AM. Unless you’re awake at that time, you’ll probably want to change your clocks before going to bed Saturday night. (Although many clocks change automatically now.)

That means sunsets will come even earlier than they have been, and there will be fewer daylight hours until the first day of winter, December 21. If you live south of the equator, you welcome more sunshine instead.

Some people may not feel any different as far as sleep and sleepiness due to the change. For most people, “falling back” is less disruptive to sleep than “springing forward.”

Here are some tips to help you adjust to the new day-night schedule of light and dark.

Night before and morning of

1. Keep your regular bedtime the night before — treat the clock change like a normal night of sleep so you preserve your circadian rhythm.
2. Avoid a late bedtime because of the “extra” hour — going to bed much later undermines the benefit of the gained hour.
3. Wake at your usual time on Monday even if you feel rested; consistent wake times anchor sleep timing and help adjust quickly.

Gradual schedule shift if you’re sensitive

1. Shift sleep-wake by 15–30 minutes for 2–3 days before if you know you’re sensitive to schedule changes.
2. Split the difference after the change by keeping the new clock time but nudging bedtime slightly earlier for a few nights.

Use light strategically

1. Get bright morning light as soon as practical after waking to advance circadian timing and reduce morning grogginess.
2. Dim evening light and avoid screens 60–90 minutes before bed to encourage melatonin production and earlier sleep onset.

Health Insurance Enrollment for 2025

Many people have a chance to change their health insurance in November.

Medicare is available to anyone at age 65 and certain other people. Enrollees can make changes from October 15 to December 7.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), Medicare CostPlans,Demonstrations/Pilots, and Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

If you aren’t eligible for Medicare or an employer-sponsored insurance plan, you may get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, with open enrollment starting November 1 through January 15.

If you are covered by an employer-sponsored health plan, you may be required to sign up for next year’s coverage, especially if you want to change coverage options. Otherwise, you may automatically be enrolled into the same plan.

Whatever plan you choose, you should carefully evaluate options, especially out-of-pocket costs. In a previous post, I reported on the problem of medical debt, due to unexpected expenses not covered by insurance.

Your out-of-pocket medical expenses may increase with a less expensive insurance plan if it requires higher deductibles and co-pays than a plan with higher premiums. You should consider the cost of anticipated health care as you choose coverage.

November 4-United States Elections

You may think this is not an election year. That is correct as far as federal elections, as for President, Senators, and Representatives.

However, many state and local elections will be held on Tuesday November 4. These include elections of governors, state supreme court justices, attorneys general, and other state offices.

These elections cover a mix of executive, legislative, judicial, and local offices. Special elections may also be held to fill vacancies in Congress.

Several major U.S. cities will elect mayors this year, including.

• New York City
• Charlotte
• Seattle
• Boston
• Detroit
• Albuquerque
• Atlanta
• Miami
• Minneapolis
• Cleveland
• Cincinnati
• Pittsburgh
• Saint Paul
• Greensboro
• Jersey City
• Durham
• Buffalo
• Toledo
  
  

(This list was compiled with the use of AI)

📌 Note: Election dates and contests can vary by locality. It’s always best to check with your local election office for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

You can also find election information at Ballotpedia.

Notable results–

On November 4, voters elected Mikie Sherrill as governor of New Jersey (the first woman Democrat to hold that office).

Abigail Spanberger is the first woman elected governor of Virginia.

Michelle Wu was reelected mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. She was the first woman elected to that office in 2021.

Zohran Mamdani, a relative newcomer to politics and self-described “democratic socialist”, was elected mayor of New York City, the largest city in the United States.

How Voting Affects Your Health

State and local governments play a vital role in our communities by funding, organizing, and regulating essential health services. State health departments set public health policies, direct disease prevention programs, and manage emergency responses.

Some local governments operate health departments and clinics that provide direct care like vaccinations, maternal health services, and screenings. They also monitor water quality, food safety, and environmental hazards, keeping us safer. 

Since elected officials oversee these services, voting in local elections directly impacts the quality and availability of care. Local leaders decide budgets for hospitals, mental health programs, and emergency medical services, and they influence partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and first responders.

When we vote, we choose the decision-makers who determine how resources are allocated, which programs are prioritized, and how quickly communities can respond to crises. Thus, local elections shape the health systems that touch our lives every day—making participation vital for strong, resilient communities. 

Navigating Your Changes

1. What changes do you anticipate this month, or before year-end?
2. What will these changes mean for you?
3. What do you need to know and do now to be ready?

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