The clocks will move forward this Sunday, signaling the start of daylight saving time.
This shift will occur at 1am on March 30, robbing you of an hour of sleep.
However, the additional hour of daylight will result in longer, brighter evenings starting next week.
The practice of «spring forward, fall back» has been a part of our calendar for over a century, sparking ongoing debates about its necessity.
So why do some people oppose the clock change, and why do we do it in the first place?
Here’s what you need to know, along with tips for preparing for this weekend’s time change.
Why do we have daylight saving time?
The transition to British Summer Time (BST), also known as daylight saving time (DST), marks the end of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the UK.
This period lasts from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, when the clocks are set back by an hour.
While it is commonly believed that DST was implemented to provide farmers with more daylight for their work, this is not entirely accurate.
In the 1890s, New Zealand entomologist George Hudson advocated for more evening sunlight to study insects, leading to the first serious proposal of seasonal clock changes.
In 1907, British inventor William Willett, credited with introducing daylight saving time to the UK, published a pamphlet titled «The Waste Of Daylight,» expressing his frustration with underutilized summer days.
Willett suggested advancing the clocks by 80 minutes in four stages in April and reversing the process in September, but he passed away before any legislation was enacted in the UK.
Germany was the first country to adopt DST in 1916 during World War I, with the UK following suit shortly after.
The clocks going forward means lighter evenings in the UK.
Therefore, if you have a nap that ends six hours before you go to bed, you should be able to fall asleep easily.»
The clocks go forward this Sunday, marking the beginning of the daylight saving period.
It will mean the time jumps to 1am on the turn of midnight on 30 March – and yes, bad news, you will lose an hour of sleep.
But the extra hour of daylight will mean longer, lighter evenings from next week.
«Spring forward, fall back» has been part of our calendar for more than 100 years – but whether we should continue the practice is hotly debated.
But why do some people get so up in arms about the clocks changing – and why do we do it in the first place?
Here is what you need to know – including how to prepare ahead of this weekend’s clock change.
Why do we have daylight saving time?
The change to British Summer Time (BST) – also known as daylight saving time (DST) signifies the end of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the UK.
It lasts from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October, when the clocks go back an hour.
It is common belief that DST was introduced to help give farmers more daylight hours to work in the fields. But this is not exactly true.
George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist – someone who studies insects – first campaigned for more evening sunlight back in the 1890s, so he could study his beloved bugs. It was the first time changing the clocks around the seasons had been suggested seriously.
Jump to 1907 and British inventor William Willett – the man credited with bringing daylight saving to the UK – self-published a pamphlet called The Waste Of Daylight, in which he outlined his frustration with not getting the most out of summer days.
He initially proposed that clocks jump forward by 80 minutes in four incremental steps in April and reversed the same way in September – but he died before any law was implemented in the UK.
The first country to adopt DST was Germany in 1916, during the First World War. The UK followed suit a few weeks later.
The clocks going forward means lighter evenings in the UK.
Daylight saving time (DST) has been a topic of debate for many years, with various studies showing the impact it can have on health. When the clocks go forward in spring, darker mornings and lighter evenings can disrupt some people’s bodies. Sleep and dream researcher Charlie Morley highlighted the overwhelming evidence of health issues caused by the switch to DST. Research has shown that even just one extra hour of sleep can have a massive effect on the body and mind.
Studies have found concerning effects of DST on health, such as a 24% increase in heart attacks on the day following the switch to daylight saving time. In contrast, in autumn when the clocks go back, the opposite effect has been identified. A study in Finland in 2016 found an 8% increase in hospital admissions for the most common type of stroke in the two days after the shift to daylight savings. It is important to note that those suffering strokes and heart attacks were likely already at higher risk.
Losing an hour of sleep can lead to various symptoms, including increased activity in the fear center of the brain known as the amygdala. This can make individuals more grumpy and tetchy. The impact of DST on circadian and sleep health has led to calls for the abolition of the twice-yearly clock changes. The British Sleep Society has urged the UK government to abolish the change altogether and reinstate standard time throughout the year.
While about a third of the world’s countries practice daylight saving time, debates continue on whether it should be scrapped. US President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to eliminate DST, with his secretary of state Marco Rubio referring to the ritual of changing time twice a year as «stupid.» The European Parliament has also voted for all EU member countries to scrap DST, but an agreement on legislation was not reached.
Preparing for clock changes and the effects of losing an hour of sleep can involve strategies such as «front loading sleep» by getting quality sleep before the time change. Exposure to natural sunlight, timing meals based on the local time, minimizing caffeine intake, and exercising can help mitigate the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Napping can also be effective, with the golden rule being to keep naps under an hour and to end them at least six hours before bedtime to allow the tiredness chemical adenosine to build up.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding DST and its effects on health continues, with research highlighting the potential risks associated with the time changes. Implementing strategies to mitigate the impact of losing an hour of sleep and advocating for changes in DST practices are important considerations for maintaining overall well-being. The clocks go forward this Sunday
It will mean the time jumps to 1am on the turn of midnight on 30 March – and yes, bad news, you will lose an hour of sleep.
But the extra hour of daylight will mean longer, lighter evenings from next week.
«Spring forward, fall back» has been part of our calendar for more than 100 years – but whether we should continue the practice is hotly debated.
But why do some people get so up in arms about the clocks changing – and why do we do it in the first place?
Here is what you need to know – including how to prepare ahead of this weekend’s clock change.
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