Feel horrendous every time the clocks go back

[GCAcademic]

Literally the day that the clocks go back, I feel awful. It seems to get worse every year and lasts for weeks. Exhausted by 4pm, freezing cold (even with the heating at 20 degrees), just want to crawl into bed before it’s even dinner time.

Anyone else? And does anyone have any tips for dealing with this?

Yes well I meant backwards obviously, backwards forwards backwards forwards.

So they went back at 2am but your sleeping body didnt know this

And to answer another post above, just because lots of people experience somenthing, it doesnt make it any less psychological

I’m the same twice a year, it kills me off. I’m also incredibly sensitive to time changes on holiday. When I fly long haul it takes the first week of my holiday to adjust

I used to have the same as the OP. What has helped me is having a day or more off work the week or week after the time change, having a regular sauna (throughout winter- takes away cold getting a grip into my bones), and more recently, hybrid working (not having a precise time I must be up every weekday morning).

Yes although it took me a few years to recognise the pattern as I retuned from living abroad 10 years ago and it's only been happening since then. I agree I'd like the clocks rosary but if they can remain on BST that would be great. I don't need the sun spilling through my window pre 4am in summer and I have things to do in the evening that are so much easier with some light 😆.

For me, its not about going to bed at 4pm. Its about a very visible switch from day time/afternoon into evening and then bedtime..

It still being light for so long in summer stops me from being able to wind down enough to sleep and I get dreadful insomnia.

I feel so much more calm and relaxed as soon as it hits 5pm and its dark. I enjoy driving home from work in the dark, it just feels right to me.

Something affects others more than you, that's life. There's no need to be an arse about it.

I am also struggling to understand how a change of just 1hr causes some posters to feel out of whack for 2 weeks, or to feel jetlagged etc. There has to be more to it than just an hour difference. Definitely psychological elements for sure.

Then again I hardly get jetlag flying long-haul but my partner takes around 4 days to recover. We are all just different.

Now can someone please tell my cats about the time change! Little buggers want dinner at 4pm!😆

Do you have a SAD lamp OP? I start using mine when the clocks go back. If I'm working from home I put it on at about 3pm, earlier if it's a dreary day. If I'm in the office, I used it when I get home (it's bright and not very office friendly). I put it on next to me as soon as I sit down in the living room or if I make dinner before a sit down I put it on in the kitchen while I cook. It helps me fight off the fatigue when my body thinks it's nearly time for bed.

I get it with both clock changes, although spring is worse.

I have ADHD and tend towards being a later chronotype anyway. Seem to be more sensitive to time changes and jetlag than most of my partners.

I also get SAD which starts late September but really ramps up once the clocks change as the nights get dark earlier. My SAD lamp is an essential.

Winter is shite. I wish I could fly south or hibernate to avoid it!

It’s not psychological, it’s biochemical btw. Always been like this, even as a young child.

Thanks for this suggestion. I've just ordered one.

I hate clock changes too, especially in the spring. I think losing the hour puts me totally out of sorts (and other people too if the two car crashes I was held up by on the way to pick DS up from school a few years ago on the Monday after the clocks went forward were anything to go by). I would love it if we'd just leave the clocks one way or the other.

My toddler still wakes at 5am.

Lol. It's one day, you'll be fine. Wait till you find out about jet lag😂

Felt fine yesterday but today might be harder going as my body clock will feel I’m finishing work at 7pm rather than 6pm! 6pm feels late enough as it is after ten hours.

Lol. Wait till you find out that it's possible to read not just the OP but the entire thread before posting 😂

What i do find weird is when we go to Sweden at new year and it is dark at 2.50pm - reverse is true in summer of course when it's still light at 11.30pm