The date of the winter time change is approaching, and on the night of Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th October, the time must be changed by setting the clock back one hour, specifically at 03:00 hours will be 02:00 hours.
In this post we are going to explain why the time is changed and how it affects our rest.
History of the time change
The origin of the time change dates back to 1784, when the politician, scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin, proposed a time change for energy saving measures, this was done while he was the U.S. ambassador to France.
In our country, until January 1, 1901, solar time was used and the time was governed by the Madrid meridian, before having a universal time along with other international countries.
It was in 1973 when the change became official and practically definitive, since Franco wanted to establish contact with Hitler’s Germany and began to use the same schedule.
Effects on rest
In this section the main protagonist is the circadian rhythm, the biological cycle that repeats itself approximately every 24 hours and regulates various processes in our body, including sleep.
It is like an internal clock that is synchronized with the cycle of light and darkness of the environment, with the change of time can be out of sync causing effects on our rest.
Some possible effects of the time change:
- Waking up earlier: The body wakes up a little earlier than we would like because of earlier light exposure.
- Daytime performance: With the change in sleep cycles, we may experience daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and even some decrease in our concentration.
- Falling asleep: It may be difficult to fall asleep because we “have” an extra hour.
- Insomnia: If we suffer from insomnia or any sleep disorder, the time change may cause a worsening during the first few days.
Tips for coping with the time change:
- Natural light: We should try to expose ourselves to natural light during the first hours of the day to synchronize our internal clock.
- Nap: Even if we are tired during the day, we should avoid enjoying a long nap, maximum 15-20 minutes.
- Sleep time: In the days prior to the winter time change, it is advisable to go to bed 15-20 minutes earlier than usual so that the body can adapt to the new routine.
- Bedtime routine: As we have discussed in other posts, any type of electronic screen is not a good companion for going to sleep, as its light can delay the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep.
- Food: Ideally, enjoy a light dinner that facilitates digestion and leads to a restful rest.
From Naturalia & Poligón hope you put into practice our tips to enjoy a good rest, and remember, the early morning of Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th, 03:00 hours will be 02:00 hours! 🙂
