Summer is finally on the horizon, and we’ll soon be enjoying those glorious, long evenings—thanks to daylight saving time. However, springing forward also means surrendering a precious hour of sleep. So, how exactly do you seamlessly adjust your body clock?
Daylight Saving Time (DST) involves winding our clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months, granting us extended daylight in the evenings. In New Zealand, the time change is observed nationwide. Meanwhile, across the Tasman in Australia, daylight saving affects New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Daylight Savings 2026
This year, DST begins in New Zealand at 2:00 am on Sunday, 27 September 2026, when clocks jump forward by one hour. Over in Australia,DST begins at 2:00 am on Sunday, 4 October 2026.
If you’re already dreading the loss of that much-needed shut-eye, here’s how to make the transition easier on your body so you don’t have to sacrifice your precious ZZZs:
1. Start Adjusting Your Bedtime Now
Don’t wait for the night before the clocks change to try and force yourself to sleep earlier. To help your circadian rhythm adjust, start gradually shifting your sleep schedule by just 15 minutes each day for the four days leading up to the switch. By the time the weekend arrives, your body will already be perfectly synced to the new time zone.
2. Dim Your Electronics
It’s tempting to scroll in bed, but artificial light actively suppresses melatonin, your body’s primary sleep-inducing hormone. To combat this, minimize the blue light emitted from your screens in the evening. Make use of features like the “Night Shift” mode on your iOS or Android devices to warm the color temperature of your display, and commit to powering down all digital devices at least one hour before you plan to close your eyes.
3. Brew a Banana Peel Bedtime Tea
It might sound unusual, but this natural remedy is a game-changer. Bananas are rich in magnesium, and their peels are especially loaded with this relaxation-promoting mineral, according to sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus. He recommends making a tea with a clean banana peel by cutting off the stem and tip. Then he boils half of the peel in water for a few minutes and adds some honey.
