Spring Forward, Fall Back...

How clocks change impacts your sleep.

Every year, the clocks ‘spring’ forward by an hour in March and ‘fall’ back by an hour in October as BST starts and finishes. Evenings begin to get darker and the mornings much brighter.

As Winston Churchill once said: “We borrow an hour one night in [the spring]; we pay it back with golden interest five months later."

Altering the clocks allows for longer daylight hours in the summer and an extra hour in bed when autumn arrives. That’s the good news. The less good news is that our bodies don’t always adjust well to the time shift, and the extra hour in bed doesn’t always mean extra sleep - especially for parents as most children will initially wake up at their usual time.

So why are we affected?

Our resident sleep expert, Cristabel Majandie, explains that switching between BST and GMT leaves our biological clocks temporarily out of sync with the local day-night cycle - and it can take days to acclimatise.

So why are we affected?

Our resident sleep expert, Cristabel Majandie, explains that switching between BST and GMT leaves our biological clocks temporarily out of sync with the local day-night cycle - and it can take days to acclimatise.

She says: “Moving the clocks back can have an impact on the quality of your sleep, leaving some people feeling tired during the day.

“The impact of the clock change varies from person to person with some taking up to three days for the brain and body to adjust and others feeling unaffected.”

Other findings point to an increase in crime in the week following the autumn clock change. One study reported a 57% rise in burglaries compared to the weekly average throughout the rest of the year.

It’s not all bad news, however. Research points to a direct correlation between getting more sleep and a dramatic (21%) fall in the rate of heart attacks on the Monday following the autumn clock change.

Cristabel explains: “This is thought to be due to the benefit of increased sleep duration.

“The reverse pattern is seen in the spring with an increase of 25% in the rate of heart attacks on the Monday after the clocks move forward an hour.

“Lack of sleep can lead to a release of stress hormones that increase inflammation, and this may impact on individuals already at risk of having a heart attack. This indicates the potential importance of sleep to our physical health.”

Our Top 5 Sleep Aids for Healthy Sleep All Year Round

To help your body adjust to the clocks change we have put together a list of our top 5 favourite sleep aids, which will help during clocks change and beyond.

1. Natural Mattress

A consistent sleep environment is key when your body clock is adjusting, and Naturalmat mattresses, handcrafted in neighbouring Devon from breathable, natural fibres, provide just that.

By supporting deeper, more restorative rest, they allow your body to recalibrate more quickly after the clocks change.

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2. Organic Bedding

Light, breathable bedding plays a crucial role in maintaining uninterrupted sleep as your rhythm shifts.

Naturalmat’s organic wool bedding is ideal for regulating your body temperature, supporting the body’s natural sleep cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up at new times.

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3. Breathable Pyjamas

What you wear to bed can subtly influence how your body prepares for sleep.

Pyjamas from Stripe & Stare are crafted with ultra-soft, breathable fabrics that feel gentle against the skin, helping signal comfort and relaxation. This sensory cue can support your wind-down routine, making it easier for your body to transition into sleep despite the time shift.

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4. Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter

Magnesium is known for its calming properties, helping to relax muscles and quiet the nervous system. Sweet Bee Organics Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter, applied before bed, becomes part of a soothing nightly ritual.

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5. Wake Sleep Light Lamp

Light is one of the most powerful tools for resetting your circadian rhythm. By gradually adjusting light exposure, the Tala Wake Sleep Light mimics natural sunrise and sunset, helping your body understand when it’s time to wake and when to wind down supporting smoother transition through the clocks change.

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We hope you make it through the clocks change without losing any sleep and can enjoy the brighter morning and warmer days to come.

At Home With Cornish Bed Co.