As the clocks go forward on March 26th to mark the start of British summer time (BST), around 3.8 million UK workers1 who regularly work through the night are looking for ways to improve their sleep quality, with most shift workers sleeping for one to four hours2 less than non- shift workers.

Google searches for Shift Work Sleep Disorder begin to rise each spring, in line with the start of Daylight Saving Time in the UK. One way to improve sleep quality is to minimise light exposure.  Sleeping in a dark room is proven to improve the quality of sleep by regulating the production of melatonin3.

Oliver Hudson, blinds expert at national retailer BlindsbyPost shares expert insight into how  blinds can be effectively used to help you get back those precious hours of sleep after the clocks go forward.

He says: “Blinds are an excellent and cost effective way of improving sleep quality. Both day and night and blackout blinds are a great way to ensure you are allowing light into your home and getting the hours of darkness when needed.”

Blackout blinds prevent any unwanted lighting from street lamps, cars, daylight or even your neighbours window, making sure that your body clock isn’t disturbed, helping people to enjoy quality sleep even after the clocks go forward. They are intended to help promote and protect your natural sleep routine as they provide light blocking sitting snugly inside windows to create complete darkness, regardless of the time of day.

A second option is blackout perfect fit blinds, which  allow for full light control as they block out all unwanted light by fitting flush against and within a window frame. Blackout perfect fit blinds provide extra privacy and light blocking meaning that a sleep routine can be maintained throughout the lighter, summer months.

Double roller blinds are an excellent way to maximise daylight or block out unwanted daylight. They include two blinds on one bracket, one of a sheer material and the other light-restrictive that also provides thermal and blackout qualities. This offers a window covering that makes the most of daylight when needed but can also be used to block out lighting for those struggling to sleep in daylight.

For more information, please visit: www.blindsbypost.co.uk