Clock changes can endanger your health and safety

A study led by the University of Bristol analysed the effects of moving clocks forward in spring and back in autumn on sleep patterns. It involved over 11,800 participants from the UK Biobank who wore activity monitors during the clock changes that occurred from 2013 to 2015. The research revealed that the shift in time significantly affects sleep duration, particularly in spring when participants lost approximately one hour of sleep. However, during the autumn change, participants managed to gain only about half an hour more of sleep. Interestingly, gender differences were noted, as men tended to recuperate more sleep during weekdays after the clock changes while women reported decreased sleep duration, potentially due to higher levels of insomnia and sleep issues exacerbated by the clock shifts. The short-term effects of lost sleep have further implications for health, as inadequate rest is linked to adverse conditions including mental health decline and increased risk of cardiovascular incidents, traffic accidents, and depression. These findings add to the ongoing debate around daylight saving time, especially as various countries, including the US and those in the EU, consider ending the practice. The consequences of losing even a single night of sleep can be serious, potentially contributing to various health issues. Melanie de Lange, a PhD student and author of the study, emphasized the importance of addressing how clock changes impact sleep and health in future discussions on daylight savings policies. With growing momentum against the tradition of shifting clocks, the implications for public health could be significant as more regions reevaluate their approach to daylight saving time, considering the well-being of their populations in relation to sleep and health outcomes.