RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - Feb 25 - Flipbook - Page 45
MOVING IN SPRING (OCTOBER),
THE CLOCKS
FORWARD
AND SLEEP
clocks are set forward by one hour—often
remembered as “spring forward.” While we gain an
extra hour of daylight, we also lose an hour of sleep
if we are not prepared.
Changing the clocks can disrupt our sleep patterns.
Generally, losing an hour in spring is more dif昀椀cult
to adjust to than gaining an hour in autumn when
the clocks are set back.
Our internal body clock (circadian rhythm) needs
time to adjust to the shift. While most people adapt
without major issues, there is an increased risk of
daytime sleepiness during the adjustment period.
Our circadian rhythm is synchronised with the
natural cycle of light and darkness. Daylight saving
throws this out of sync because we suddenly need
to wake up earlier than our body clock expects.
However, if you adjust your bedtime 15–20 minutes
earlier for three to four nights before the daylight
saving transition, you can reduce the risk of sleep
loss and feel less sluggish the next day.
