24/10/2026
The clocks change—but what about your body clock?
With the clocks going back an hour on Sunday 25 October, we gain an extra hour in bed, but our bodies may take a little longer to settle into the new routine.
Your circadian rhythm is your internal daily rhythm. Guided largely by light and darkness, it helps coordinate sleep, hormone release, body temperature, appetite and digestion. Food, movement and stress also influence these rhythms.
From a naturopathic perspective, this is a reminder to consider the whole person: how we eat, move, rest and connect with natural daylight all work together to support wellbeing.
What does the circadian rhythm look like?
It is a 24-hour body clock governing different functions that rise and fall throughout the day:
Morning: melatonin falls, body temperature begins to rise and the body prepares for waking.
Daytime: alertness increases, with coordination and physical performance often stronger later in the day.
Evening: melatonin rises as light fades, helping prepare us for sleep.
Overnight: deeper sleep tends to occur earlier in the sleep period, while body temperature reaches its lowest point towards morning.
The times shown are a general guide—your own pattern varies with your sleep routine, age and whether you’re naturally an early bird or a night owl.
When the clocks change, you may feel sleepy or hungry earlier by the new clock as your body adjusts.
Support your natural rhythm with a few simple habits:
- Get outdoors in daylight, including a morning walk where possible.
- Keep meals reasonably regular, making time to sit down, slow down and chew.
- Move throughout the day, with gentler movement or yoga as you wind down.
- Soften bright lighting in the evening.
- Keep a consistent sleep routine and allow yourself time to adjust.
Working with your body’s rhythms can begin with the everyday foundations: light, nourishment, movement and rest.
