When do the clocks go forward – and should daylight savings be scrapped?
When do the clocks go forward – and should daylight savings be scrapped?
This weekend marks the transition into daylight saving time in the UK, with clocks moving ahead by one hour at 1am on Sunday, 29 March. The adjustment results in an additional hour of lost sleep for many.
The Mechanics of the Time Shift
Although the change to British Summer Time (BST) brings longer evenings, mornings will be darker during this period. The ‘spring forward, fall back’ tradition has been part of the UK calendar for over a century, yet its necessity remains a topic of discussion.
Origins of Daylight Saving Time
The concept of adjusting time with the seasons originated in the 1890s, proposed by New Zealand entomologist George Hudson. His aim was to extend evening sunlight for insect observation. A decade later, British inventor William Willett formalized the idea in 1907 through a publication titled The Waste Of Daylight, advocating for a progressive shift of 80 minutes over four stages in spring and autumn.
Health Impacts of DST
Research indicates that the time change disrupts circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. Sleep and dream expert Charlie Morley notes that the shift can significantly affect both body and mind.
“What research shows is what a massive effect on the body and mind, just one extra hour [of sleep] can have,” Mr Morley told Sky News.
Studies reveal notable health consequences. The American Heart Foundation reported a 24% rise in heart attacks the day after the time advance, while a 2016 Finnish study linked the shift to a 8% increase in stroke-related hospital admissions over two days. Morley explains that reduced sleep duration activates the brain’s fear center, the amygdala, leading to heightened irritability and stress.
The Case for Scrapping DST
Advocates for ending the practice argue that the twice-yearly adjustments cause unnecessary disruption. In October 2023, the British Sleep Society urged the UK government to eliminate the time changes altogether. According to the Pew Research Center, only approximately a third of global nations implement daylight saving. US President Donald Trump expressed support for scrapping DST in a 2024 post on Truth Social, calling the ritual “stupid.” His secretary of state, Marco Rubio, echoed this sentiment, criticizing the tradition of time changes as outdated.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression tied to seasonal cycles, can intensify when clocks revert in autumn. Mental health charity Change highlights that reduced daylight may also lead to feelings of isolation and altered sleep cycles. The debate over DST’s merits continues, with its benefits and drawbacks weighing heavily on public opinion.
