Catch up with the clocks

THE clocks have sprung forward and that can play havoc with your sleeping pattern. It might be only an hour different. But that doesn’t mean you won’t feel the effects of the time change. This is especially true in the spring, when we lose an hour of sleep. If you’re already a bit sleep deprived, an hour can make a big difference. There’s also science behind it. Sunlight stimulates the production of certain hormones in the brain. It also impacts the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that regulates your internal body clock. Altered hours of sunlight can disrupt your internal circadian rhythm and make you feel like you’ve got a mild case of jet lag. Fortunately, you should be able to adapt after a few days. To help your brain and body make the shift, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier for a short while. People over 65 need seven to eight hours of sleep — a little less than younger people. Most people wake up two or three times a night. If you can’t get back to sleep, it’s usually recommended to do something relaxing, such as reading a chapter of a book, until you feel tired again. A bath around an hour and a half before bed can help you to fall asleep more easily. easily And it’s also important to look at your bed and make sure it’s fit for purpose. A sagging bed could be keeping you awake, whereas a supportive bed is the foundation of a good night’s sleep. An adjustable bed (pictured right) can help relieve various health symptoms, from the breathlessness of COPD, to pain caused by arthritis, to swelling linked with circulation issues. Being able to move into a perfectly supported position can bring deeper, more comfortable sleep, year-round.