Spring Forward, Fall Back: Unpacking the Impact of Daylight Saving on Your Slumber

And just like that, the clocks are about to go back. As we slide into the season of darker mornings and shorter days, curl up with your cosiest duvet and discover more about daylight saving time and how it affects your sleep.

What is the purpose of day light saving time?

To most of us, daylight saving time means an extra hour in bed in the fall and losing an hour in the Summer. Hence the delightful little saying, “Spring forward, fall back.” However, ever wondered why exactly we have it? The purpose of daylight saving time is to help us make the most of the natural daylight. Getting enough natural light is important, not just for productivity. It helps regulate our moods, immune systems and sleep cycles. Not having enough can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and even seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D), affecting 1 in 3 UK adults. The good news is that you can set yourself up for a vibrant and healthy season in plenty of ways. Sleep coach Max Kirsten recommends “setting yourself up for a comfortable sleep with a good mattress, tuck into an immune boosting diet and make sure you get outside every day.” More from Max later; first, let’s explore some key facts about daylight saving time and how it affects sleep.

• Daylight saving time first came about over 100 years ago. Germany was the first country to set the clocks forward nationally. Less than 40% of countries in the world use daylight saving time.
  

• Throughout history, there have been several variations to the traditional hour of clocks going forward and back depending on the country and how they can make the most of the natural light.

• Benjamin Franklin first suggested the practice as far back as 1974.

• During the Winter solstice, right before Christmas, we only get 8 hours of sunlight; putting the clocks back allows us to enjoy an earlier sunrise and a brighter commute on the way to work.
  

• In March and September every year, there is a particular day with 12 hours of equal darkness and light. This is known as the ‘equinox’, a little bit of Latin for you, which means ‘equal night’.

Back to Max, our sleep coach explains that “while losing an hour in bed during Summer often has a bigger impact, gaining that precious hour in bed in October doesn’t always mean extra sleep” Sigh. So, why? Any changes to the amount of natural light we are exposed to can affect out sleep cycle as our circadian rhythm is disrupted. This is what controls when we feel sleepy or awake. Darker mornings encourage the production of melatonin leaving us in a constant state of ‘day sleepiness’. Having more light later in the day means we may find it harder to drift off. Our energy levels are out of whack leading to irritable moods and generally feeeling a bit ‘blah”. 

While some people adjust more easily to the clocks going back and forward, for many it can be a real struggle. Any loss of system can compromise health and wellbeing and zap the joy of a beautiful, colourful season. If you dread the darker months, you could just need to make some simple changes to your daily set up. Here are some easy ways to optimise your sleep and wake up ready to pumpkin!

How to prepare for Daylight Saving Time

Get bedtime set up for snuggling

If there’s one time of year you can turn bedtime into a snuggly retreat, it’s October. “You want to make the bed a place you look forward to falling into,” says Max. “having a supportive, comfortable pillow and mattress that optimises alignment and, most importantly, you find comfortable will help you drift off and maximise the quality of your rest”. Also, ensure your duvet is warm enough, which might mean changing to a tog of at least 10. An Eye Mask can also help ensure you are not exposed to any ambient light as you fall asleep. To ease you into darker mornings, an LED light can help to expose you to light, making you feel more awake before you reach for that first cup of coffee.

Dig into healthy habits

It is tempting to make caffeine your go-to energy source during the darker months, but it may leave you feeling exhausted. Too much caffeine can make your brain more alert, so it’s harder to fall asleep. Try to make it a morning thing and limit intake in the afternoons; switching to herbal teas and a relaxing bedtime routine will make you feel far more refreshed. A warm bath and a cosy movie are perfect seasonal treats, and as for sofa snacks, stick to immune-boosting foods like fresh fruit, seasonal veg, and healthy proteins. Bananas and yoghurt are sleepy winners as they are a yummy source of magnesium and tryptophan, stimulating brain-calming and relaxing hormones. Choosing these over-sugar snacks will help set you up for a better night’s kip.

Let there be light

While the days are shorter and the weather may not be calling you outside, getting out for a brisk walk and “enjoying at least 30 minutes of natural sunlight a day can help regulate your sleep cycle” says Max. Whether its an early morning stroll, crunching over orange leaves, or an unwinding walk to underline the working day. Try and enjoy the great outdoors as much as you can, wrapped in scarves and gloves of course. You will thank yourself when you are snuggled up in bed later, ready to drift-off for sweet Autumn dreams.

Daylight saving time affects us all differently. While changes in your daily light exposure can affect your mood and sleep, using these simple tips will help set you up for a far brighter season.

Have a wonderful Autumn

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