Time change: A clockwork mechanism for discomfort

The annual time change between winter and summer time, a ritual that has been practiced in many parts of the world for decades, has become an important factor for people's well-being. A current survey by DAK-Gesundheit shows alarming trends: a growing part of the German population is suffering from the effects of this biannual event. The results of the survey show a significant increase in health complaints, ranging from fatigue and sleep disorders to irritability and depressive moods.

Biology's wake-up call

Daylight saving time was originally introduced to save energy. But the biological costs of this artificial time manipulation have long been underestimated. The current report from DAK-Gesundheit , which is based on a Forsa survey, highlights the health burdens on the population. What is particularly noticeable is that women are almost twice as stressed as men. This highlights the need to consider individual differences in adaptability to the time change.

Majority against the pointer

The discrepancy between public opinion and policy implementation regarding the time change is significant. Although an overwhelming majority of respondents - 74% - are in favor of abolishing the time change, a political consensus is still missing. The historical reasons for introducing daylight saving time, such as saving energy during the oil crisis, have lost their relevance today. However, implementing abolition remains a challenge due to disagreement over a permanent time arrangement.

The shadow of the clocks

In addition to the direct impact on health, the time change also raises questions about its consequences for the world of work. Almost a fifth of employees say they have difficulty getting to work on time due to the time change. This points to a larger, often overlooked dimension to the problem that affects both individual productivity and overall well-being.

Scientific explanation

The time change has a greater impact on our bodies and psyches than we might think because it directly interferes with our circadian rhythm - our internal clock that controls numerous biological processes. This rhythm not only regulates our sleep-wake cycle, but also hormone release, body temperature and digestion. When the clocks change, a discrepancy arises between social time - i.e. clock time - and our body's biological time. This discrepancy can leave the body in a state comparable to jet lag, although the severity of the effects varies from person to person.

The sudden change can disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and lead to sleep problems. At the same time, adapting to the new time can influence the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to increased irritability and stress. These hormonal fluctuations can also affect mood and lead to depressive moods. Because the body and brain take a few days to weeks to fully adjust, these health problems may persist until the internal clock is synchronized again. This scientific perspective explains why so many people complain of fatigue, trouble sleeping and irritability immediately after the time change.

International perspective

The international discussion about the time change shows a diverse picture with different approaches and experiences. Some countries such as Russia and Turkey have already decided to abolish the time change and make it permanent. Russia officially introduced daylight saving time in 2011, but returned to year-round standard time in 2014 to minimize the negative impact on the population's health. There is also a growing movement in the US to abolish semi-annual time changes, with individual states such as Arizona and Hawaii already having the same time all year round.

On the other hand, countries such as Norway and Finland, where the differences in daylight duration between summer and winter are particularly large, have intensified the discussion about abolishing the time change in order to better reflect natural lighting conditions and improve the quality of life of their citizens . These examples show that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the issue of time change, but the increasing willingness of governments to rethink this practice offers an opportunity to learn from others' experiences and perhaps arrive at a more consistent and health-promoting solution in the future .

Long-term effects

The long-term impact of the time change on health and the economy is more profound than it might seem at first glance. Studies suggest that repeatedly adapting to the time change can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, immune system disorders and even certain cancers by permanently disrupting the body's natural rhythm. These health risks can not only affect the quality of life of those affected, but can also lead to higher costs in the healthcare system.

On an economic level, adapting to the time change leads to productivity losses as workers are less productive due to lack of sleep and difficulties in adapting. This can be particularly noticeable in the first week after the time change, when the number of accidents in traffic and at work increases. In the long term, these health and economic impacts could far exceed the initial energy savings from the time change. A reassessment of the time change, which takes into account both the long-term health and economic impacts, is therefore urgently needed in order to make informed decisions about maintaining or abolishing the time change.

Questions and answers about the time change

Question 1: Why do women suffer more from the time change than men?
Answer 1: The DAK study shows that women are significantly more affected by the negative effects of the time change, which may be due to biological differences, for example in hormonal balance or stress reactions.

Question 2: How does the German population feel about the time change?
Answer 2: A clear majority of Germans, 74 percent, reject the time change and want to abolish it; only 23 percent think it makes sense.

Question 3: What health problems are caused by the time change?
Answer 3: The most common complaints are fatigue, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, irritability and depressive moods.

Question 4: What was the main reason for the introduction of daylight saving time?
Answer 4: Daylight saving time was introduced to save energy, especially during the oil crisis in the 1970s.

Question 5: What effects does the time change have on working life?
Answer 5: The time change means that almost a fifth of working people report not showing up to work on time, which can affect both individual productivity and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Changing the time represents a major social challenge that goes far beyond simply changing the clocks. Current data from DAK-Gesundheit show that the negative effects on the health and well-being of the population are increasing. It is time to rethink this practice and take action that is not just based on historical habits, but focuses on people's current needs and well-being. For those who suffer from the consequences of the time change, DAK-Gesundheit offers comprehensive information and support to make the transition as smooth as possible. Ultimately, however, it is up to politicians to find a lasting solution that corresponds to the will of the majority.

Source: German health portal

Stay up to date and subscribe to the Mimikama newsletter and attend our online lectures and workshops .

You might also be interested in:
Green light for cannabis: a risk to the psyche?
“Healy” miracle box: hope or danger?
Tap water and estrogen in a fact check