It’s that time of year when the clocks go forward and we lose an hour of sleep. Here is everything you need to know, including what time it happens tonight

The clock change happens twice a year, but somehow it manages to catch people by surprise each time.

It’s that time of year again where spring has sprung and the evenings are getting lighter.

This weekend the clocks will go forward, meaning we can look forward for the evenings to stay lighter for even longer.

We’re currently using Greenwich Meantime (GMT), which means when the clocks change we’ll be moving to British Summer Time (BST).

Unfortunately, it also means that we lose an hour of sleep, so you’ll want to make a note of exactly when that will happen.

What time does the clock go forward?

The clock will go forward one hour in the early hours of Sunday, March 27 2022, which is also Mother’s Day in the UK.

More specifically, the clock will jump forward at 1am, meaning those watching their smartphones will see the time jump forward to 2am.

The change always happens on the last Sunday of March in the middle of the night, to make sure there is as little disruption as possible.

The clocks will then go back again on the final Sunday of October, which in 2022 will fall on October 30.

Why do the clocks change every year?

The clocks go forward so that we can make better use of the daylight, making sure there is more daylight in the evenings, and less in the mornings.

This idea was first proposed by American scientist Benjamin Franklin in 1784.

However, it wasn’t until 1907 when a serious proposal was made by William Wellett, who happens to be Coldplay singer Chris Martin’s great-great-grandfather, in Britain.

I have published a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight, which encouraged people to get out of bed earlier.

The government discussed his proposal, but they took some convincing to make the change official.

It wasn’t until a year after he died that the clock change was implemented. BST was introduced via the Summer Time Act 1916.

Tips for coping with the clock change

When the clocks go forward we lose an hour of sleep, but luckily Nectar’s sleep expert Patrick Ross has shared his top tips for coping with the change.

1. Avoid the temptation to have a lie-in

Although it may be tempting to take a long nap when it comes to midday, Ross says this will make it harder for your body to adjust to the time change.

Long naps can disrupt sleeping patterns, which will make it harder to fall asleep.

2. Try to stick to eight hours of sleep

Aim for eight hours of sleep and stick to your routine as much as possible.

3. Keep your room dark with blackout blinds to combat early morning sun

Our body has a 24 hour internal clock which is influenced by light exposure.

If you’re exposed to light at night or early in the morning it can throw your body’s circadian rhythm off.

Blackout blinds can help with the unnecessary morning light by creating a dark environment.

4. Adapt your sleeping space for cooler sleep as summer approaches

Our body temperature can play a significant factor in our quality of sleep.

Choosing lighter colored bedsheets in breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen can help drastically.

5. Limit caffeine

Avoid coffee after 2pm as it can impact your system for six to seven hours.