We are all going to get an hour's sleep this weekend - but enjoy it
while it lasts. Scientists say the effect of the clock change wears off very
quickly. So while we might sleep extra well on Saturday night, thanks to the
clocks going back an hour, we'll be tossing and turning again within just a few
days. In other words, our last good sleep of the year is just around the
corner.
Bedtime: Scientists say our last good sleep of the year is just around the corner
The warning follows a survey of more than 3,000 British adults, which
revealed that quality of sleep leaps as the clocks change in October. Many
people also feel happier and more energetic. However, the benefits of the
Sunday morning lie-in are short-lived, with quality of sleep quickly dropping
off, leaving many people sleeping worse than before. Asked how well they slept,
the men and women gave themselves an average score of 5.4 out of ten ahead of
the clock change. This rose to 5.8 immediately afterwards, before dropping to
just 4.5. And as people struggled to sleep, tiredness and moodiness increased,
the Great British Sleep Survey found.
Professor Colin Espie, founder of the sleep centre at Glasgow
University, said: 'Whilst the clock change may give some respite to poor sleep
sufferers and a respite to those who already sleep well, these results suggest
the effects are temporary. 'Once our bodies acclimatise to the new sleep schedule,
sleep quality actually drops significantly. 'Our sleep is then likely to
deteriorate further as the winter progresses.' This is because as the nights
get longer, we are tempted to go to bed earlier and get up later - and end up
tossing and turning as a result.
The sleep survey was commissioned by Sleepio, an online programme
designed to help people solve their sleep problems without resorting to pills. The
£49.99 package, which has been shown to give results within just six weeks,
helps people find ways of mentally processing the day's worries before they
turn in, in an attempt to stop their mind from racing when they are bed. It
also helps people work out just how many hours of sleep they need to feel their
best.
Daily Mail UK
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