Changing Time

Mar 29 2025 The Guardian

Changing your clock? Scientists are only just beginning to understand what this does to us

We humans evolved on this planet, and for the vast majority of our existence we have followed the natural cycle of sunlight and darkness. A bit more than 100 years most western societies have shifted time twice a year, after the introduction of “daylight savings time”.

We have known for a long time that the sudden change in time twice a year causes stress and disruption. As the piece says: “Research suggests that the spring clock change is associated with an increase in car accidents and heart attacks.”, and “Both men and women also reported a worsening of work-life balance following the changing of the clocks in October.“

So, why are we still doing this? The European Parliament voted to abolish this twice a year time change, already in 2019. Why are we dragging our heels on this issue? With daylight savings time we have to change time twice a year, every year, abolishing it only happens once, and we never have to think about it again.

This may have had some positive effect on the use of coal and energy during the First World War, when it was introduced, but now we know this is not good for human health. Any savings in energy we get today, will be minimal compared to the costs related to healthcare and work efficiency losses due to the time changes. And that calculation does not even mention the quality of life.

I’ll end this with a quote from the piece:

Our bodies have evolved to be carefully attuned to our environments. We thrive on having predictable rhythms around when we sleep, eat, work and socialise. These rhythms keep us in sync with our bodies and communities, helping to give us a sense of belonging and stability.