The hidden Lumie alarm feature that could make the clocks changing this weekend feel less brutal
The Lumie sunrise alarm has a hidden feature that can allegedly help your body to adjust when the clocks change.
On Sunday, March 29, the UK will switch to British Summer Time, as the clocks move forward by one hour at 1am.
While that means you'll lose an hour of sleep, it also signals the start of longer, brighter evenings - hallelujah.
£99
£84.15
After the change, the sun will set at around 7:28pm in London and 7:38pm in Manchester, eventually setting at 9.30pm in some parts of the UK by late summer.
In anticipation of the momentous occasion, Brits are changing a feature on their sunrise alarms to combat the lack of sleep. Find out more below.
What is the hidden Lumie sunrise alarm feature you need to turn on?
Blue light is naturally emitted from the sun and plays a large role in regulating our circadian rhythm, commonly known as the body clock.
It decreases melatonin production, the hormone that makes us sleepy, helping us to feel awake during the day.
But it can make getting to sleep tricky in the summer months, as the sun sets later than usual.
To combat this, people are using the hidden low blue setting found on sunrise alarms such as Lumie before bed to make sure they get plenty of rest when the clocks go forward.
To use the low blue light setting on Lumie, all you need to do is activate 'low blue sunrise' in the sunrise settings on your device's main menu.
Popular models with this feature include the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB and the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300.
If yours doesn't have this feature, you can use the 30-minute fading sunset cycle instead.
For instance, I've set my Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 to go into sunset mode at 9.30pm to prepare me for sleep ahead of the clocks changing.
"If you tend to feel a bit out of sorts after the clocks change, pairing the sunset mode on a clock or smart home device, alongside a regular bedtime routine, may help you to adjust to new timings," Dr Robin Clark, Medical Director at Bupa UK Insurance, explains.
"It can be a simple, supportive way to help your body adjust, so you can feel your best as the days get longer."
Clark explains that sunset mode offers a warm, gradually dimming light that mimics the natural fading of daylight. In turn, this helps the brain to wind down by supporting the release of melatonin, the hormone responsible for preparing the body for sleep.
"As the clocks spring forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and the evenings become brighter during daylight savings, it’s normal for your internal clock to feel slightly out of sync," he continues.
"Using the sunset setting can help your body adjust and signal that bedtime is approaching, helping you to maintain a steady sleep routine.
"This may be especially helpful for those who struggle to change their sleep patterns when the evenings become lighter, such as shift workers or young children."
If you're still finding it difficult to get some shut-eye, Dr Clark recommends avoiding coffee and alcohol in the hours before bedtime.
He also suggests avoiding blue light devices such as smartphones and spending time outdoors, especially in the morning.
Do clocks go forward or back in the UK?
As mentioned above, the clocks will go forward at 1am on Sunday, March 29.
You will lose an hour of sleep, as the UK welcomes British Summertime.
The days will become lighter and brighter until the clocks change again in October 2026.
Shop our top pick of sunset alarm clocks:
Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100
£99
£84.15
Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300
£149
Philips Wake-up Sunrise Alarm
£149.99
£139.99
Dreamegg White Noise Machine
£49.99
£34.99
Danielle Fowler