Daylight saving: Get plenty of rest and go outside, say experts

Sleep experts say it's important to prepare for daylight saving ahead of the clocks winding forward on Sunday October 7.

Are you ready for daylight saving?

Are you ready for daylight saving? Source: AAP

After the clocks wind forward on Sunday for daylight saving people need to be aware of their drowsiness levels to prevent accidents, sleep experts say.

Research shows a rise in accidents during the 24 hours immediately following the time difference, highlighting the importance of getting enough rest.

"Try to get a bit more sleep in that 24-hour period when the clocks change, Dr Moira Junge from the Sleep Health Foundation told AAP.
Experts say our bodies don't take too long to adjust to the time change.
Experts say our bodies don't take too long to adjust to the time change. Source: AAP
The morning after daylight saving occurs Dr Junge encourages people to get outside or access to daylight as soon as possible to suppress melatonin levels in the body, the sleep regulating hormone.
But just like flying interstate into a new time zone, Dr Junge said, the body clock will adjust fairly quickly.

"Don't over-think it too much; while there is a shift in our body clock, it's only for a short period of time," she told AAP.

"We adapt within a matter of days."
Clocks will be turned forward one hour on Sunday 7 October from 2am in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, South Australia and Tasmania.

Daylight savings always falls on the first Sunday of October.

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2 min read
Published 6 October 2018 8:08am
Updated 6 October 2018 9:30am


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