SATURDAY is that one day of the year we simultaneously love and hate. We can jump for joy that British Summer Time has begun, but cry at the thought of losing a precious hour's sleep as the clocks move forward.
Yes, it's that bi-annual occasion when we run around the house resetting clocks, stereos, central heating boilers and DVD players.
Daylight saving time (DST) is the convention of advancing clocks so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Brighter evenings beckon as a treat but the nation's punishment is one hour's less sleep over Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Professor Jim Horne, director at Loughborough Sleep Research Centre, warns that it will probably take two to three days for our own body clocks to fully adjust "People will probably feel the need to go to bed a bit later on the Sunday night, which has a knock-on effect for getting up on the Monday morning," he says.
So how can sleepyheads cope with losing a hour's shut-eye? The answer is simple, according to Horne.
"The clocks go forward on the Sunday so people aren't going to lose much sleep on the Sunday if they have a good lie in."
Not only are we losing an hour of the day, but many of us are likely to give our pillows some extra head action on Sunday morning as we sleep through to catch some extra Zs.
To ensure we don't let the day slip away, it's wise to take on some good "time mastery", according to time guru Laura Stack.
"Time mastery refers to how well you manage your activities throughout the day," she explains.
"Some people spend more time planning vacations or finances than they do their lives. Time is like money, because it's a limited commodity and requires thoughtful analysis and planning.
"Without good time management, you can experience negative consequences such as missed deadlines, late nights, stress, crisis and overload."
We may be losing an hour this weekend as the clocks go forward but grasping hold of time-saving skills can be beneficial throughout the year.
"Good time management gives you a purpose in life, structure to your day, direction, and reduced frustration," Stack says.
"Time mastery brings you to the end of the day with a sense of accomplishment."
How often have you heard people say "I just don't have enough hours in the day" or "If I just had more time, I could get everything done"?
To find a solution, Stack suggests that you have to take time to make time in your day.
"Change your thinking," she advises.
"Since you can't create more time, you have to realise there's always time to do what's really important.
"The challenge is determining what's important.
"Get a blank piece of paper and make two columns, marked non-negotiables and the other negotiables.
Brain-storming "The things that you must do in life are the non-negotiables; the things that you'd like to do are the negotiables. Spend ten minutes brainstorming these areas in your life and analyse the data."
So how can you spend less time on the must-do tasks? Stack has this advice: l perform required tasks more efficiently - for example pay your bills, make lists and purchase groceries online once a week; l manage your time more effectively. If your time is frittered away at work, spend less time socialising with colleagues so that you can leave the office on time and be with your family.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article