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Doctors Shows Concern About Changing the Clocks
A team of researchers and physicians have advised the Government to eliminate the biannual clock adjustments in the UK.
The upcoming time change this weekend will negatively impact the sleep of the country, according to the British Sleep Society (BSS).
According to BSS members, evidence indicates that morning natural daylight benefits sleep patterns, whereas changing the clocks has a harmful effect.
The society has released a statement advising that Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) should be observed year-round, especially during the time change when clocks are set back.
They claim that the most significant impact on circadian rhythms, the changes in physical, mental, and behavioral patterns over a 24-hour period, comes from clocks being set forward in the spring.
The call arrives as clocks are scheduled to change back this weekend. There are no intentions by the Government to alter the daylight savings system.
The clocks in the UK are moved forward by one hour at 1am on the final Sunday in March, and moved back by one hour at 2am on the final Sunday in October.
British Summer Time (BST) is the term used to describe the period when clocks are set one hour ahead, also known as Daylight Saving Time.
When the time changes, the UK switches to GMT, also called Standard Time.
The comment is made by scholars from various parts of the UK, with Dr Megan Crawford from the University of Strathclyde, Dr Eva Winnebeck from the University of Surrey, and Professor Malcolm von Schantz from Northumbria University leading the group.
Prof von Schantz Statement
Prof von Schantz stated GMT “aligns closely with the natural light-dark cycles of the day and night” and “natural daylight in the morning is crucial for maintaining an optimal alignment of our body clocks with day and night, which is essential for optimal sleep and overall health”.
He added: “Restoring permanent Standard Time (GMT) would mean our clocks would be closely aligned to solar time, and while it would mean earlier sunsets in the summer, there would be additional benefits to health from improved sleep and circadian alignment due to increased exposure to morning sunlight from autumn to spring.”
Dr Winnebeck POV on Time Shift
Dr Winnebeck said: “What we often don’t realise is that Daylight Saving Time (BST) changes our schedules, moving them forward by one hour while daylight remains the same.
“It forces us all to get up and go to work or school one hour earlier. In seasons with fewer daylight hours such as now in autumn, it means most of us have to get up and commute in the dark.”
Dr Crawford Remarks
Dr Crawford expressed there is a “misguided idea from a sleep and circadian health perspective” that clocks should move permanently forward.
“Mornings are the time when our body clocks have the greatest need for light to stay in synch,” she said.
“At our latitudes, there is simply no spare daylight to save during the winter months and given the choice between natural light in the morning and natural light in the afternoon, the scientific evidence favours light in the morning.”
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