When will the clocks change?
The time change to summer time is just around the corner again. 70% of Germans no longer want to set their clocks one hour forward. They feel little desire for the sleep problems that often follow. These are caused by a massive interference with the biorhythm, which goes far beyond the fact that you get one hour less sleep in just one night.
Switching to summer time is like a mini jet lag
Sleep studies confirm that almost one in four people suffer from health problems after the time change to summer time. The consequences are akin to a kind of mini-jetlag: you feel limp and tired, have problems falling asleep and can even suffer from severe sleep disorders.
These complaints often disappear again after a few days. But the time change to summer time can also have more serious consequences for your health. Concentration problems and depressive moods are not uncommon. The internal clocks of so-called ‘owls’ in particular, i.e. people who go to bed late and sleep longer in the morning, are permanently stuck in winter time. Their sleep rhythm is based on the seasonal development of sunrise and not on an artificial summer time. The time change throws the body off its natural rhythm.
Why is there still a time change?
The time change as we know it today was introduced in Germany in 1980. At the time, the aim was to make better use of daylight and save energy. However, the benefits are controversial today. Experts do not believe that the time change will significantly reduce energy consumption.
There are mainly political and economic reasons for the fact that the time change to summer time still has a permanent place in our calendar. This is because a European Union directive regulates the time change in most of Europe. Some associated states, such as Switzerland, the European Economic Area with the exception of Iceland and a few other countries also use the regulation laid down there. According to the legislator, it is therefore essential for the functioning of the EU internal market that summer time is standardised throughout the Community. Fortunately, there is now some movement on the issue, and an EU-wide abolition is foreseeable in the next few years – if everyone joins in.
Tricks against the consequences of the time change in summer
According to sleep research, the best way to prepare for summer time is to go to bed earlier the days before the changeover. The timing of meals should be gradually brought forward and fatty or hard-to-digest foods should be avoided as far as possible so as not to put additional strain on the circulation.
In addition, you should never try to force yourself to sleep. This is because most people stay awake when they are desperate to fall asleep quickly. When falling asleep, it is important to push away unpleasant thoughts or stress factors and consciously relax. Have a good start to the summer!
Time change worldwide:
Time changes were already abolished in 11 countries around the world a few years ago: Japan (1951), Argentina (2009), Russia (2010), China (1991), Turkey (2016), Brazil (2019), Iceland (1967), Belarus (2010) and Egypt (2014). In South Africa and India, on the other hand, there has never been a time change.
What would happen if we also abolished the time change?
Imagine if the time was no longer changed here. Which time would you choose and what would the consequences be?
Consequences of ‘winter time’ in summer:
There would be no more long summer evenings, but it would get light very early in Germany.
Winter time in summer – on 21 June in Cologne:
- Sunrise: 04:19
- Sunset: 20:48
Consequences of ‘summer time’ in winter:
Without the time change, it would be light late in the morning and the sun would set early.
- Sunrise: 09:33
- Sunset: 17:27
