When do the clocks go back? 5 things you can do with the extra hour

It's that time of the year again when the clocks go back, marking an end to British Summer Time. Even though the clocks change twice a year, many of us are still caught off-guard and thrown off slightly by the change.

Although this means that our days are getting shorter and our nights are darker, this may very well be your chance to sleep better and take that extra hour in bed. Rest is productive, after all.

Here's the exact day and time when the clocks go back this year, and 5 things you can do with the extra hour.

When do the clocks go back?

The clocks will go back on Sunday 30th October 2022. The clocks always change by one hour at 2am on the last Sunday of October, putting us back on Greenwich Mean Time.

Your smartphone will update automatically with the new time, so can that extra hour in bed without worrying that you'll oversleep. The same goes for most of your digital devices.

However, your analogue clocks, such as your world clocks, oven, and car clocks will need to be updated by hand. It's wise to double-check, because even the best alarm clock may not change automatically if it's more on the traditional side.

Do we gain an hour when the clocks change?

We will gain an hour when the clocks change on Sunday 30th October 2022. If you often find yourself getting confused, an easy way to remember is to think of the change with the seasons. In spring the clocks 'spring forward', whilst in autumn they 'fall back'.

What to do with the extra hour

1. Catch up on sleep

This is one that I'm sure many of us will be doing. If you don't know what to do with the extra hour, getting some shut-eye is always a good option.

To make it a more luxurious affair, flip your mattress, invest in the best mattress topper, and consider upgrading your old bedding with the best duvets and pillows to give you a good night's sleep.

2. Wind down and relax

Of course, to those with young children, we see you and we recognise that catching up on sleep may not be an option. Regardless of how many unticked tasks you have, taking time to wind down and relax is also a form of rest that shouldn't be taken lightly - read a book, cosy up on the sofa with a cup of tea, watch a film - the choices are vast.

Consider the use of smart lighting inside your home, scheduling them with specific routines. To help you unplug from your responsibilities, you can set your lights to become warmer once the sun sets and to dim gradually as you start to wind down for the evening.

3. Get active

Whether it be walking the dog, a light stroll with a friend, a jog, or a bike ride, put on your best fitness tracker and get moving! Any form of exercise works wonders for helping you feel good, especially with the slight change our bodies may go through when the clocks change.

4. Prepare for Halloween

With the clocks changing the day right before Halloween, you can spend the extra hour this spooky season brushing up on your Halloween decorating ideas and adding the finishing touches to your displays to welcome trick-or-treaters.

5. Tick off the job you've been avoiding

We all have that one task or job in the back of our mind that we've been meaning to do, for a while now. It gets like that, but even greater so, what better time to finally tick those off of your backburner than the day we gain an extra hour?

Whether it's scheduling an appointment, finally sorting a return, getting stuck into long-awaited easy DIY project ideas, or cleaning the dishwasher - use the extra hour to get life admin done.

We'll be taking the extra hour in bed.