The clocks go back at 2 a.m. this Sunday — 3 ways your sleep will change, experts reveal

It's that time of year again in the UK, as clocks will fall back one hour on Sunday, 25th October 2026. This clock change, known as British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time, adds an extra hour to the night, meaning the sun will rise earlier. While some sleep experts note that the sudden shift can disrupt our circadian function, others argue that changing with the sun can keep our body clock aligned to the natural rhythm.

When do the clocks change? The change takes place during the night, at 2 a.m., when the clocks move back one hour to 1 a.m. Most people will sleep through this change, but night owls, shift workers, and those enjoying a night out should be aware of the time change.

How does the clock change impact our sleep? The autumn clock change gives us an extra hour in bed, but it can have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing. Dr. Zoe Williams, NHS GP and Dreams’ Resident Sleep Expert, explains that our bodies don't work according to the clock on the wall. An hour might not seem like a big change, but it can take a while for our internal body clock to catch up.

This can lead to feeling tired at the wrong time of day, waking up earlier, and experiencing a dip in energy or concentration as our body adjusts. The darker evenings can also affect our alertness and energy levels. However, the extra hour in bed during autumn can be beneficial for those who don't get enough sleep, as long as they don't use it to stay up later.