Summer time and biological clock

Are you a morning person or an evening person? You will have to deal with this when the clocks are changed for winter or summer time. This coming week, the clocks will be set back to summer time. In this blog, we focus on all the pros and cons, along with tips on how to handle it. 

Summer time and its advantages and disadvantages

Summer time has existed since 1977. During the oil crisis of that year, the idea arose that energy could be saved if the day were longer. This means that winter time is actually the real time. The longer daylight hours saved electricity for lighting in the evening. A longer day also means spending more time outdoors, and that is good for your health. Being outside a lot is always better than sitting inside. We have already done more than enough of that during the lockdowns.

The disadvantage of summer time is sleeping an hour less. This can significantly disrupt the biological clock. Many people suffer from sleep deprivation. This manifests itself, among other things, in fatigue and reduced alertness during the day. In the first few weeks after the clock is set to summer time, more accidents occur on the road. Sufficient reasons to oppose setting the clock to summer time.

The biological clock of a night owl or morning person

Everyone has a biological clock. Many processes in our body follow a 24-hour daily rhythm, and the sleep-wake cycle is no exception. This determines whether you are a night owl or an early bird. If you are a night owl, you come alive in the evening and have more energy than in the morning. You go to bed later and get a lot done in the evening hours. Getting started in the morning is more difficult.

If you are a morning person, you prefer to get up before dawn. You are always in a good mood in the morning and well-rested. In the evening, you are tired and go to bed early.

Summer time is not pleasant for night owls. The day starts an hour earlier, and night owls will therefore notice this, especially in the morning. Taking your activities into account is therefore highly recommended.

Exercise and the biological clock

The personal trainers at MINT Personal Training regularly encounter clients who struggle with their biological clock when it comes to performance. Therefore, they always advise working out in the morning if you are a morning person, and in the afternoon or evening if you are an evening person. That might sound obvious, but it is not always a given if you let your schedule dictate your actions. Often, it is one of the reasons why goals are not achieved or why people stop exercising.

Determine if summer time is your time

Does the switch to summer time make you feel more tired and less alert? Then make sure to adjust your energy-boosting moments to times that suit your biorhythm. Go to bed an hour later or an hour earlier. Ensure you spend plenty of time outdoors to gain more energy from daylight, and adjust your training times to your biorhythm. Would you like to know more about this or receive advice on what suits you best? Then contact our personal trainers and lifestyle coaches for a FREE intake.

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