Sadly summer has come to an end meaning that the sun cream and Hawaiian shorts get put back away for another year. So this now means that the days are getting shorter and the nights longer, but it’s not all bad because we get to have an extra hour in BED!
The clock movement was invented by George Vincent Hudson who was a New Zealand entomologist in 1895, while British businessman William Willett is also credited with the idea as a way of getting up earlier and so having more daylight hours after work. The first moving of the clocks was brought into place during World War One by Germany and Austria, and then by the allies to save on coal usage. Although the UK has always had daylight saving time since it first began, it didn’t come into widespread effect across the globe until the 1970s due to the energy crisis.
Some Tips for When the Clocks Go Back
- Enjoy having a lie in – just remember to keep your sleeping pattern before and after the clocks change, especially the time you get up in the morning. This will help to limit the impact on your night time sleep quality, and your daytime energy levels.
- The Perfect Sleep Environment – As we cannot control Daylight Savings, the thing that is in your control is your sleep haven; in order to have the best quality sleep you need to make your room is quiet, cool, dark and comfortable.
- Gradually Transition – If you are sensitive to Daylight saving ease your body into the transition, so you could go to bed and get up 20 minutes later for a few days before and for babies and toddlers it may be useful to delay daytime naps, meal, bath and books.
- Go for a run – Exposure to morning sunlight helps to synchronise your internal body clock and adapt it to the new time. Get your light fix by going for a run or a brisk walk outside. The added tiredness will also help you to sleep better the next night.
- Stow away electronics – Since the clock change can disrupt your circadian rhythm, minimise any other distractions that may disrupt you from achieving the perfect night’s sleep. Don’t use mobile phones and tablets, or put them on silent to reduce sleep interruptions.
So just as a reminder the UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time at 2am on Sunday the 30th October 2016, meaning that all the clocks then turn back to 1am.
The clocks will always go forward an hour on the last weekend in March in Spring, and go back on the final weekend of October in Autumn. To avoid confusion in the future of when the clocks go back and forward, simply remember the phrase: Spring forward, Fall back.
Source:
Telegraph: What Is The Point In DST?
Mirror: Clocks Go Back