Sleep Experts Call for Abolishment of Clock Changes
Sleep experts are advocating for the elimination of the UK’s biannual clock changes, asserting that they are detrimental to the nation’s sleep patterns. Researchers argue that natural daylight in the morning positively impacts sleep, while changing the clocks has adverse effects on circadian rhythms – the cyclical changes that occur over a 24-hour period.
According to the British Sleep Society (BSS), a professional organisation comprising medical, scientific, and health professionals, there is clear evidence indicating that moving the clocks forward in the spring disrupts circadian rhythms the most. In a statement published in the Journal of Sleep Research, the BSS strongly recommends maintaining Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year to mitigate these negative effects.
The current practice sees clocks in the UK set forward by one hour at 1 am on the last Sunday in March and then moved back by an hour at 2 am on the last Sunday in October. The period when the clocks are ahead by an hour is known as British Summer Time (BST), while the time when they are on GMT is referred to as Standard Time.
Leading academics, including Dr Megan Crawford from the University of Strathclyde, Dr Eva Winnebeck from the University of Surrey, and Professor Malcolm von Schantz from Northumbria University, support the call to maintain GMT throughout the year. Prof von Schantz highlights the importance of aligning clocks closely with natural light-dark cycles for optimal sleep and overall health, stating that exposure to morning sunlight is crucial for a well-aligned body clock.
Dr Winnebeck adds that Daylight Saving Time (BST) alters schedules by moving them forward by an hour without changing the available daylight, resulting in people having to wake up and commute in the dark, especially in seasons with fewer daylight hours like autumn. Dr Crawford emphasises that from a sleep and circadian health standpoint, it is misguided to advocate for clocks to permanently move forward, as mornings require more natural light for synchronisation.
While the experts stress the benefits of maintaining a standard time throughout the year, the government currently has no plans to amend the existing daylight savings system.
**Insights and Summary:**
The debate over clock changes and their impact on sleep patterns is ongoing, with sleep experts urging for reforms to the current practice. The focus on aligning daily routines with natural light exposure highlights the significance of maintaining optimal circadian rhythms for overall health and well-being. As advancements in sleep research continue, it is essential for policymakers to consider these findings and their implications for public health.