A regular on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand Van Tulleken, has urged people to avoid doing one common habit – a routine that’s become even more prevalent now that people are working from home.
Since the clocks changed on Saturday, this could be the cause of our tiredness, despite it being nice getting an extra hour in bed, it still messes with our bodies.
Dr Xand explained on BBC Morning Live this week that the clocks changing have affected the cells in our bodies, explaining: “All the cells in our body have what’s called a circadian rhythm and that’s regulated by lots of different things.
“But it means when we change the clocks, our body takes a little while to catch up. We catch up about an hour a day, so within a couple of days, you should be ok. What we see in the autumn time change is that there is lower risk of heart attacks and stroke because you get more sleep and there’s less strain on the body.”
We also reduce our risk of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) as well thanks to that extra bit of sunlight in the morning, reports the Express.
“But it’s still a disruption, so you may do more snacking and struggle with sleep”, the doctor warns, adding that “it’s not all straightforward.”
How do I get my body clock normal again after clock changes?
The expert says that there’s many things you can do to feel normal again. However avoiding a mid afternoon nap, especiallyif you work from home, should take priority. He says people should:
- establish a bedtime routine
- exercise
- avoid naps late in the day
- avoid artificial light before bed – cutting down screen time in bed
- enjoy sunshine during the day
- keep to a schedule
The doctor says having a regular routine, one that involves a “bath or shower before bed” can help you fall asleep faster by raising your temperature, then lowering it. He explained: “doing those things regularly literally sets your body clock.”
Am I just tired or is there something wrong with me?
There is a difference between being tired all the time and being sleeping, Dr Xand highlighted, explaining that tiredness can be caused by multiple reasons. He recommends visiting the GP only after you have exhausted all methods, saying: “If you are training for a marathon, you’re going to be tired and going ‘actually there’s something wrong and it’s stopping me doing the things I want to do’ that’s really important”
Why could I be tired all the time?
Before seeing a doctor, you should think if any of the following could be why you are having a bad sleep and feeling constantly exhausted – being busy, unhealthy diet, exercise, medication, stress, depression and anxiety.
If you’re feeling “tired all the time”, the doctor says don’t be afraid to speak to your GP as “blood tests don’t rule everything out and they don’t discover everything either”.
Dr Xand encourages people to tell their GP, to see what is wrong with them and to stress if it is affecting your daily life.
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