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Daylight Saving Time: Temporary Effects and the Debate on its Abolition

Experts indicate that effects on adults are mild and short-lived, while children may require up to two weeks for adaptation.

Generic image of a clock with hands moving forward, symbolizing the time change.
IA

Generic image of a clock with hands moving forward, symbolizing the time change.

The recent daylight saving time change, which advanced clocks by one hour, has reignited the debate about its repercussions on health and daily routines, with experts downplaying effects on adults but acknowledging the need for children's adaptation.

In the early hours of Sunday, clocks were moved forward by one hour, from 2 AM to 3 AM, a change that annually raises questions about its consequences. This time adjustment, which promises longer daylight evenings, also entails an adjustment period for the body.
Dr. Àngel Pedra, a psychiatrist, has clarified that the effects of daylight saving time are not as significant as commonly perceived. According to Pedra, symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or irritability typically do not have a major impact on most adults. However, he acknowledges that the body needs time to adapt to the new time zone, a process that, under normal circumstances, should not exceed two weeks.
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"If it extended longer, it would be necessary to assess if something else was happening."

Àngel Pedra · Psychiatrist
The explanation for these effects lies in the increased hours of daylight, which stimulates the body and reduces melatonin production, the hormone that regulates sleep. This can initially make it harder to fall asleep. Children are the most susceptible population group to experience these consequences, as their sleep cycles are more sensitive to changes.
Esther Viladés, a teacher at the nursery school in Alpicat, confirms that, despite initial uncertainty, children's adaptation is usually quick. She describes that, although they might be more restless or hungrier, it is a temporary phase, comparable to returning from holidays. To minimize disturbances, Dr. Pedra advises maintaining consistent sleep, meal, and activity routines, and avoiding the use of electronic devices with light before bedtime.
Daylight saving time also has implications for the commercial sector. Mertxe París, president of the Slow Shop Lleida association and owner of the Genet Blau bookstore, notes that the presence of natural light until later can lead some businesses to extend their hours. Nevertheless, her organization promotes initiatives to reduce opening hours, aiming to foster work-life balance and advance a new time culture.
Despite annual discussions about its abolition, which was proposed in 2021, daylight saving time remains a reality, generating a recurring debate about its utility and effects.

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