How to adjust to summer time without stress: advice from a professor of neurology
The Mirror has revealed the secrets to adjusting easily to the time change.
The main tool for resetting the body is natural light. Professor Lucas advises getting as much bright morning sun as possible on the first day after the clocks change. It is light that acts as the main signal to the brain, allowing the body clock to instantly recognise the new time of day. To achieve this effect, it is enough to spend just 15 minutes outdoors within the first hour of waking up.
As the change takes place on Saturday night, the scientist recommends making the most of the flexibility of the weekend. A morning walk on Sunday will help your body start the adaptation process in advance, so that by Monday morning your cycle is already in line with the new schedule. This will help you avoid daytime sleepiness and make it easier to fall asleep in the evening at the right time, even if it feels too early according to your old schedule.
In addition, experts advise ensuring complete darkness in the bedroom at night, but opening the curtains as wide as possible immediately after waking. This contrast helps reset your circadian rhythms and overcome the effects of the ‘lost hour’. Following these simple rules allows the body to synchronise with summer time in just one or two days, minimising stress on the nervous system and ensuring you feel alert throughout the working week.
