The time change each year, two little jet lag

Front or back? This is a question now of millions of German. Because, as every year, at the end of October, we move from the summer to the winter time and in spring, then again the other way around. But why? Already Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, wrote in 1784 that “the extensive night life energy by means of artificial light don’t waste”. His way: the Former get Up and go to bed.

Time change – Yes or no?

In the following centuries, a time was discussed conversion in the world a lot, always re-introduced and again abolished. In Europe, France in 1976, introduced in the Wake of the oil crisis, the first country in the summer time, Germany moved to in 1980. Until 1996 the different the summer time were unified regulations, then a will be presented in the European Union on the last Sunday in March at 2 a.m. by one hour on the last Sunday in October back one hour.

This is the measure that actually saves, as originally intended, to energy, to refute, in the meantime, numerous studies. And just as reliable as the time change was coming, piling up in the days before the complaints about them. Most recently, the EU Commission gave in this year an Online survey in order to 4.6 million people (of which about 3 million Germans) from 28 EU countries took part, you were to over 80 percent in favour of abolishing the time change. (Here you will find the best tips on how to overcome jet lag)

Time change: A challenge for the internal clock

Sleep expert Dr. Hans-Günter Blind share this opinion. He is the author of the book “sleep works wonders. Everything about the most important third of our lives” and is Convinced: “It would be certainly good, the time change because many people suffer from it. In particular, the changeover to the summer time, when we have to get up an hour earlier, caused many considerable difficulty.” Because our inner clock is ticking very carefully, there is already a shift of an hour brings us from the clock. It can take up to a week, until we have become accustomed to the new time.

Although we are allowed to sleep during the time change in the autumn of an hour longer, nevertheless, many people complain of fatigue, lack of concentration and sleep disorders. “On our body, the time change appears to be a little jet-lagged – and, unlike in the case of a holiday in a different time zone, we can’t compensate him, in which we have to adjust our timing, we need to find on the Monday following the changeover in our everyday lives,” says the expert. (Read also: What really helps against constant fatigue)

Summer or winter time?

The has especially in the spring when we have to get up an hour earlier, follow: “In the week after the time change it, so show some studies, more admissions to hospitals with a suspected heart attack. On the Monday after the time change, more accidents happen,” says Dr. Blind. Unlike the majority of the participants of the EU-the Online-survey and the majority of the Germans, he argues, but not for a permanent summer , but for the winter time. His reasons: “The permanent summer time would be a poor solution. We need in the summer time a little less sleep, and had long, light evenings, but because of this, we stay awake longer. This is because our Sleep neurotransmitter Melatonin is formed only in the dark. Those who need to in the morning, get up early, do not get usually get enough sleep.” (Also interesting: What really helps when going to Sleep)

The consequences of this can be the already mentioned complaints and restrictions. Especially for school children and people who work in the morning, have a permanent summer time disadvantages, as Dr. Blind. “In the Winter it would be at the height of Mannheim in the longest night of the year, on 21. December, until about 9.20 am light. We would be so, if we go to work or to school, still full of Melatonin and a very tired – the is Work focused, and to Learn anything other than useful,” he argues. A decision on the abolition of the time change, however, is not expected in the near future, as many EU States are at odds and are reluctant to take a Position.

The experts ‘ tip for the time change

In the meantime, the expert has a tip on how we can overcome the Mini-jet lag: “I recommend to start 4 to 5 days in advance with the personal time of transition. So, to go to bed time in 10-minute intervals – then the transition is not so abrupt.” And for all of you that don’t know, whether you are at now or back a little mnemonic must: In the summer, set the garden furniture in front of the door, in the Winter back in the shed. (Read also: The most successful people do before going to bed)

This article was written by (Eva Stammberger)

*The post “The time change is every year, two little jet lag,” published by GQ. Contact with the executives here.