People are watching the sunrise over Altona Pier in Melbourne.

Daylight saving time is about to start: what you need to know

About a third of the world’s population observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), and for many Australians, that includes you.
Daylight saving time will change to 2 a.m. on October 6.

Here’s everything you need to know about Daylight Saving Time and how it affects you.

Do clocks move forward or backward?

At 2am (AEST) on Sunday, some clocks will move forward an hour at 3am as daylight saving time comes into effect for a majority of Australians.
If you live in New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, South Australia or Tasmania, you’ll lose an hour on Sunday morning.
Proponents of daylight saving time say it’s a nice tradeoff because waking up later in the day means you get extra hours of natural light.
Professor Tim Bedding of The University of Sydney’s School of Physics explained that the tilt of the Earth’s axis means the time between sunrise and sunset changes throughout the year.

“The result is that the days are longer in summer than in winter,” he said.

Which Australian states and territories do not observe daylight saving time?

Over the past 50 years, several Australian jurisdictions have voted for or against daylight saving time for their region.
Beding said geography is a key factor in decision-making.
“The effect of DST diminishes the closer you get to the equator, which is probably why Queensland decided not to adopt DST.”
Just like Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have also rejected daylight saving time.

“In a large, geographically and climatically diverse country, one solution does not necessarily fit all and should not be imposed on all,” Mr Bedding said.

Will Daylight Saving Time Make You Sick?

There is an ongoing debate over whether the time change has any impact on health.
Weight loss expert Dr Nick Fuller of the Charles Perkins Center said losing an hour creates a misalignment in a person’s internal body clock.
“This is a temporary effect, but when it comes to food, you might find yourself eating later in the evening and doing other activities to fill the daylight hours,” she said. -he declared.

“If you eat before bed, it can worsen digestion and reflux problems, making your sleep worse.”

Do you lose sleep during daylight saving time?

Flinders University sleep expert Professor Leon Lack said there was no significant evidence that DST impairs sleep or daytime functioning.
“We found that those who live in states that observe daylight saving time tend to go to bed and wake up later than those in areas that stay on standard time,” he said.

Reece Kemp, another sleep expert and Lack’s research associate, said: “Research suggests that while the initial transition to DST may present challenges, the negative effects appear to subside over time. three months maximum. »

Although many Australians will not experience a noticeable change in their health, people predisposed to conditions such as insomnia or acid reflux may experience discomfort.

Expert advice

If you’re struggling with fatigue or sleep-related issues, Lack, Fuller and Kemp have some advice.

  • Start your day with the sun: Every morning before and after daylight saving time, go outside to enjoy the morning sun.
  • Limit caffeine in the afternoon: Enjoy your tea or coffee in the morning, but avoid caffeine after noon to prevent it from keeping you up at night.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast early: Jump-start your metabolism and set your body clock by having breakfast early in the morning. This can help reinforce your wake-up time.
  • Exercise regularly, but not too late: Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, but avoid vigorous workouts late in the evening to ensure they don’t interfere with your bedtime.
  • Reduce screen time before bed by keeping technology out of the bedroom and dimming the lights two to three hours before bed to support your natural circadian rhythm.
  • Plan for rest after DST: Expect sleep disruption after the time change. Don’t overload your schedule on Sunday or Monday and, if necessary, take a brief nap (15 minutes) around lunchtime to recharge your batteries.

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