The problem with British Summer Time is that while our brains understand that the clock has changed, the body’s internal clock just doesn’t get it at all. Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice.
In the Autumn when the clocks change, you may enjoy the extra hour of sleep, but your body wants its’ dinner an hour earlier than the clock says. When the clocks go forward in springtime, you lose an hour of sleep, and then your sleep rhythms may be disturbed which can affect the quality of your sleep for days. Going to bed "earlier" can mean difficulty falling asleep and increased wakefulness during the early part of the night.
So how do you go about dealing with British Summer Time?
In the lead up to the time change, alter the time you go to bed, and the morning alarm, by ten minutes every day for six days. Come Sunday, it will be a breeze! You can also alter your meal times too.
As exercise releases serotonin- a feel-good chemical in the brain that helps our bodies adjust to time - doing a little more will really help you. Even better, if you can exercise outside, earlier in the day, you’ll notice the benefits.
If you’re desperate, a nap can help, but beware. Napping can affect the quality of sleep you get overnight, and a long nap will make you feel worse. It is probably better just to go for a walk around the block!
Avoid anything that generally stimulates you, such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, MSG etc. Before you sleep, try some herbal tea, or meditation, or have a warm bath to help you relax. Make sure you have your evening meal early enough so that you have time to digest it.
Open your curtains or blinds as soon as the alarm goes off so that your body reacts to the light. Research has shown the importance of light and darkness in relation to our circadian rhythms. Spend time outside during the day, where possible, and dim the lights in the evening. This way your body knows when to be awake and when to sleep.
Your bedroom is the most important room in the house and should be sleep-friendly. You want to fall asleep easily, stay asleep and sleep well. Basic sleep hygiene means watching what you eat and drink (as above), exercising, and creating calming rituals before bed – such as reading or listening to soothing music. You can utilise ear plugs and eye masks where needed.
Stay away from the TV, computer screens or mobile phones in the hour before bedtime. The light will disturb the winding down process your body has.
British Summer Time has plenty of advantages. It gives us an extra hour of light in the evening which means we get to spend time outside after work. It allows us to enjoy some exposure to the sun (before it gets too hot) which boosts our vitamin D levels. We save energy in the home, and we feel generally more energetic, wanting to get out and about. Make the most of it! Winter will be back soon enough …
Created by Tom Vermeersch
Tom Vermeersch is a certified Psychologist and Bach flower expert with more than 30 years of experience.
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The problem with British Summer Time is that while our brains understand that the clock has changed, the body’s internal clock just doesn’t get it at all. Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice.
In the Autumn when the clocks change, you may enjoy the extra hour of sleep, but your body wants its’ dinner an hour earlier than the clock says. When the clocks go forward in springtime, you lose an hour of sleep, and then your sleep rhythms may be disturbed which can affect the quality of your sleep for days. Going to bed "earlier" can mean difficulty falling asleep and increased wakefulness during the early part of the night.
So how do you go about dealing with British Summer Time?
In the lead up to the time change, alter the time you go to bed, and the morning alarm, by ten minutes every day for six days. Come Sunday, it will be a breeze! You can also alter your meal times too.
As exercise releases serotonin- a feel-good chemical in the brain that helps our bodies adjust to time - doing a little more will really help you. Even better, if you can exercise outside, earlier in the day, you’ll notice the benefits.
If you’re desperate, a nap can help, but beware. Napping can affect the quality of sleep you get overnight, and a long nap will make you feel worse. It is probably better just to go for a walk around the block!
Avoid anything that generally stimulates you, such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, MSG etc. Before you sleep, try some herbal tea, or meditation, or have a warm bath to help you relax. Make sure you have your evening meal early enough so that you have time to digest it.
Open your curtains or blinds as soon as the alarm goes off so that your body reacts to the light. Research has shown the importance of light and darkness in relation to our circadian rhythms. Spend time outside during the day, where possible, and dim the lights in the evening. This way your body knows when to be awake and when to sleep.
Your bedroom is the most important room in the house and should be sleep-friendly. You want to fall asleep easily, stay asleep and sleep well. Basic sleep hygiene means watching what you eat and drink (as above), exercising, and creating calming rituals before bed – such as reading or listening to soothing music. You can utilise ear plugs and eye masks where needed.
Stay away from the TV, computer screens or mobile phones in the hour before bedtime. The light will disturb the winding down process your body has.
British Summer Time has plenty of advantages. It gives us an extra hour of light in the evening which means we get to spend time outside after work. It allows us to enjoy some exposure to the sun (before it gets too hot) which boosts our vitamin D levels. We save energy in the home, and we feel generally more energetic, wanting to get out and about. Make the most of it! Winter will be back soon enough …
You see the word "toxic" everywhere these days, but what does it really mean? You've almost certainly come across someone who fits the description. Dealing with difficult personalities can be challenging and emotionally exhausting, to say the least.
Facing the loss of a family member or close friend is probably one of the most difficult challenges that life throws at us. When we've lost a partner, parent, brother or sister, we're likely to experience intense grief.
For many people, 2020 has been one of the worst years they can remember. The COVID -19 pandemic and social unrest have changed our lives in ways we would not have believed possible a year ago. And when January 2021 comes around, we're still likely to be facing many challenges. Can 2021 be a better year?
Read the complete article
Narcissism is a term we often see these days. But what does it mean? It's used to describe a person who is full of themselves or overly vain. However, it's not really about self-love.
As parents, we often worry about a poor school report as much, if not more, as our kids do! And if your child's grades are slipping, you'll be looking for reasons and if there's anything you can do to help.
If you're worried that the world is changing too fast, you're not alone: technology is constantly developing, and it can be challenging to keep up with all the changes. As a result, many people - not just the older generations - feel anxious that they might get left behind.
Feel like you overthink too much? Having a hard time making decisions? Or feel like you don’t consider your options enough? Find out how to strike a balance.
Sexual desire is a complex interaction of hormones, emotions and well-being. When your partner is not as interested in sex as you are, it’s rarely a rejection of you as a person. So it’s essential to be as empathetic as you can regarding your differing libidos.
No one knows what the future holds, so don't waste time and energy worrying about it. Read our tips and find out how to stop being afraid of what might never happen.
Read the complete article
Motivation can be somewhat elusive - some days, you just can't seem to make yourself do the stuff you don't want to. But putting things off just leads to stress, frustration and a sense of guilt.
Bach Flowers are not medicinal but harmless plant extracts which are used to support health.
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