Perfect for falling asleep with peace of mind.
For almost 50 years in France, there has been winter time and summer time. In a few days, we will change the time and switch to winter time. And every year, the same question arises: do we go forward or back an hour?
“This is always the big question but what often interests people is: do we sleep an hour more or an hour less?“, underlines Dr Catherine Lamblin, sleep doctor. There are several tips to remember this. We can say to ourselves that in March, summer is approaching, that the days are getting longer and that it would be stupid to stay in your bed and not taking advantage of it (we therefore sleep an hour less) whereas in winter, it is fashionable to cocoon in bed But that is perhaps a bit far-fetched…
The easy and unstoppable mnemonic way to remember them is found in the names of the months:
► The changeover to winter time takes place in OctoberD, we Dtherefore one hour: at 2 a.m., it will be 1 hour (we gain an hour of sleep)
► The changeover to summer time takes place a little before the month ofA.V.ril, we A.V.so go by one hour: at 2 a.m. it will be 3 a.m. (we lose an hour of sleep)
When we switch to summer time, we must move the hands forward of our one hour watch (one full turn as in the clock image above). Whereas when switching to winter time, we move back one hour. Specifically, Daylight Saving Time adds one hour to the time zone while Standard Time takes one hour away. Fortunately, most cell phones do this automatically and you no longer need to think about it. On the other hand, you have to do it manually on watches and manual alarm clocks.
A time change disrupts the functioning of hormones and it often takes a few days to get used to it. “When we switch to winter time, we perceive the night earlier, our melatonin will be secreted earlier and we will want to sleep earlier in the evening, continues Dr Catherine Lamblin. In 2-3 days, the body normally begins to get used to the new time.” In the days following the time change, “it is better listen to our body and go to bed when we feel tiredeven if it is not always easy with professional or family constraints“, advises the sleep doctor. The change to summer time is easier on the body.