Does the time change really have an impact on sleep?
It is in the night from Saturday to Sunday that we will turn back the clock. Most will appreciate having an extra hour to sleep. But what about the impact on our sleep?
Different symptoms related to the time change
According to several experts, the majority of the population adapts relatively well to a change of one hour whether it is fall or spring. This may take around one to two days. On the other hand, certain segments of the population are more affected, including young children and the elderly. Signs of fatigue during the day, difficulty falling asleep and waking up may then appear. In order to mitigate the impact on the sleep cycle, it is recommended to go to bed a little later at the changeover in the fall and to go to bed a little earlier at the changeover in the spring during the previous week. The usual recommendations in terms of sleep hygiene (no caffeine or alcohol in the evening, avoiding screens, eating a light meal) are all the more important to apply to help your system regulate itself more quickly. Also try to go to bed and get up at the same times as during the week, even though it is the weekend.
Change in daylight exposure
In addition, the time change also causes a change in exposure to daylight. This is why some people who are more sensitive than others to changes in light will react more strongly. It is therefore advisable to expose yourself to light at the end of the day (eg turn on all the lights in the room you are in) to help delay falling asleep during the time change next Saturday.