When the Clocks Change: How Nutrition Can Help You Sleep Better

By Dr Timothy Eden, MBBS

Registered Dietitian from Eden Health and Nutrition

Read time approx. 4mins

As the clocks go back and evenings draw in earlier, many of us start to feel our energy dip. It’s not just “winter blues”; the darker days genuinely affect our body clock (circadian rhythm), which controls when we feel alert or sleepy. Less natural light exposure, particularly in the morning, can make it harder to fall asleep at night and lead to groggy mornings.

I wanted to write about this because I see, in both my GP and dietetic practice, just how many people struggle with sleep around this time of year. Often the first response is to reach for caffeine, sugary snacks or comfort foods to push through the fatigue — yet few people realise how profoundly nutrition and routine can influence sleep quality itself.