Whether you’re coming out of the other side of a long weekend, the clocks have changed, or you’ve been making the most of your time off with some well-earned relaxation, discover how to reset your body clock fast
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeaerd on Happiful
Sleep. It’s essential. Getting a good night’s rest allows your body and mind to recharge, helping you to feel ready, refreshed, and alert for the day ahead. Without good quality sleep we’re not only left feeling grumpy and unfocused – we could be putting our health at risk.
One-in-three of us suffers from poor sleep. When a bad night’s sleep turns into a regular occurrence, we put ourselves at risk of a number of physical and mental health problems. If you find yourself watching the clock, and longing for a nap, chances are, you aren’t getting enough sleep. However, knowing we need more sleep, and actually resetting our schedules can be two very different things.
Long weekend nights can lead to our bed and waking times slipping further and further back. Well-earned days relaxing during our time off can result in us not feeling tired come bedtime, whilst the clocks going back each October, or forward in March, can leave us feeling groggy and confused.
As Counselling Directory member and professional counsellor Sue Stradling explains, creating a routine is key to getting a better night’s sleep. “Sleep likes a routine, so try to keep regular hours. Going to bed at the same time every night, and waking up at the same time every morning, can help to programme your body to have a better sleep.
“Don’t worry about not falling asleep – the more you worry, the less likely you’ll be able to sleep. If you can’t sleep, get up and try something that you find relaxing, and then go back to bed when you feel sleepy.”
Day one
Wake up: 10am Bedtime: 11pm Today’s plan: exercise and hydrate
If you’re getting started over a bank holiday weekend, it’s best to get started on a Saturday. To help you feel ready to fall asleep on time, try and fit in a 30-minute workout. Research has shown that moderate exercise can not only boost your mood, but can also help those experiencing sleep issues, such as insomnia, to fall asleep faster and for longer, experiencing a better quality of sleep overall. Exercise can also act as a natural stress reliever which, in turn, can help you to feel calmer, and ready to switch off at the end of the day.
Make sure to drink plenty of water. Even mild dehydration can leave you feeling sleepy and lethargic throughout the day, with research showing it can negatively impact our ability to complete tasks that require our concentration, co-ordination, or more complex problem-solving skills. Keeping a bottle of water with you can help to remind you to keep drinking, whilst helping you to avoid the pitfalls of hidden caffeine boosts that may be causing you to yo-yo throughout the day.
Ensuring you cut down on screen time before bed can also be key to helping reset your body clock more quickly. Counselling Directory member and psychotherapist Maja Andersen explains how blue light can disrupt your natural sleep cycle. “It takes your brain about an hour to switch off from blue light input from your smartphone, TV, tablet, or laptop. Good sleep hygiene, such as having a regular bedtime and sleep routines, is by far the best option. Keeping a sleep journal can help you track your quality of sleep and may help you identify patterns – for instance, staying up watching TV for an hour longer than normal may trigger a lapse in concentration the following day.”
For day two kickstart your morning by opening your curtains to get some early morning rays. Bright light signals to your brain to stop producing melatonin, the sleep hormone, which makes you feel drowsy. Getting outside for as little as 10 minutes can help to increase your vitamin D levels. As one Nutritionist Resource member explains, vitamin D plays an important role in our mental and physical health. “Its role in healthy brain function and immunity is of vital importance, especially as we come to the end of winter when our natural source of vitamin D from sunlight has been at a minimum.”
Vitamin D not only helps keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy, it can also play a huge role in regulating our mood. Not getting enough can lead to an overall sense of tiredness, aches, pains, and generally not feeling well.
While napping isn’t ideal, catching a quick 10-20 minute snooze if you need to is ok – just make sure you’re doing it as soon as possible; the longer you wait, the closer bedtime creeps, and the more likely you are to disrupt your sleep schedule. By limiting yourself to 30 minutes or less, you reduce your chance of entering a deep sleep cycle and waking up groggy.
Alcohol can reduce your REM sleep, causing more disruptions and a less restful night. Limit your alcohol intake to reduce the likelihood of it disrupting your sleep and causing excessive sleepiness the next day.
Day three
Wake up: 6-7am (or as early as you need for work) Bedtime: 10pm Today’s plan: good food, limited caffeine, calming night-time routines
What you eat can have a huge impact on how you sleep. Diet and sleep quality are closely linked. Get your day off to a good start by having a balanced breakfast with healthy fats and lean protein for an early morning energy boost. Limit your caffeine intake by cutting back on coffee or switching to herbal tea to avoid relying on short-term energy boosts that may leave you feeling groggy.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone; it can make you feel more awake, so it’s important to maintain a sustainable, relaxing night-time routine; stretching, mindful meditation, yoga, or having a hot bath can all be simple ways of unwinding without screens.
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