Spring is upon us and with the clocks set to go forward on the weekend of the 31st, it feels like the promise of long, sunny days is on the horizon.
The clocks change by an hour twice a year – once in the spring and once in the autumn. The practice of moving the clocks back in the winter was traditionally to offer more daylight in the mornings and in the spring, to give farmers an extra hour of sunshine in the evenings to work.
But while having more hours to soak up the sun might be a big plus, the sudden change in the clocks can be a struggle to adapt to – with an expert warning that it may take days to recover.
Now, in an exclusive interview with Betfair Casino, behavioural expert and psychologist Darren Stanton has opened up on his key pointers to help with the transition, including the simple changes you can make to your daily routine, home, and how to avoid being ‘thrown off’ by the change.
Speaking exclusively to Betfair Casino, behavioural expert and psychologist Darren Stanton reveals:
“Human beings operate on a circadian rhythm, which is a natural 24-hour body block. Daylight can cause the brain to secrete the happy hormone of serotonin and at nighttime or during sleep, we secrete melatonin.”
“The more daylight we get, the more serotonin we enjoy so longer days can provide a real boost to our mental health. But the change in the clocks is still an adjustment.”
“We’re vulnerable to sleep deprivation and even something as small as an hour can throw us off. Some people can take four days to recover.”
Here are key pointers from Darren that you can follow in the lead-up to the time change to make the transition easier.
Set alarms incrementally
The clocks going forward means you lose a precious hour of sleep in the mornings. People commonly underestimate the importance of this loss but to ensure the change doesn’t hit you like a ton of bricks, try setting your alarm earlier by 15-minute increments around a week beforehand.
Find ways to unwind and relax
You may already have tools you use to drift off but if not, try and listen to some soothing music or experiment with white noise. Perhaps unwind with some hypnosis or meditation techniques.
There are plenty of free resources available online. Try out a few things and see what helps.
Invest in blackout blinds
As the days grow longer, you may find that it’s not quite pitch black at bedtime and the sun begins to rise very early in the morning.
To ensure this doesn’t impact your sleep, blackout blinds are a fantastic investment and can ensure you get a better night’s slumber.
Limit screen time and caffeine
The clocks going forward mean you may find yourself going to bed before your body feels ready. So to ensure you drift off with ease, avoid things like caffeine and screen time, which can overly stimulate you and make it harder to switch off.
You could also try investing in some silky pyjamas or new sheets to make your bed feel more inviting.
