This weekend marks the annual transition to summer time in Spain, as clocks will be set forward by one hour. The change will occur in the early hours of Sunday, March 30, 2025, when at 2:00 AM, clocks will jump to 3:00 AM. This adjustment means that Spaniards will lose an hour of sleep, a shift that has raised questions about its impact on health and daily routines.
The primary aim of the time change is to align daily activities more closely with daylight hours, theoretically enhancing energy efficiency. However, this practice has come under scrutiny, especially regarding its actual effectiveness in saving energy. Critics argue that the benefits are marginal and that the shift can disrupt people's circadian rhythms.
Sergio Paredes, director of the Department of Physiology at the Complutense University of Madrid, explains that advancing the clock can desynchronize the biological clock, leading to various health issues. "The human biological clock is synchronized with sunlight, and moving the clock forward disrupts these rhythms," he notes. This disruption can result in fatigue, sleepiness, irritability, and stress as individuals struggle to adjust their sleep-wake cycles.
Many people adapt to the time change within a few days, but certain groups, such as infants, children, and the elderly, may require more time to adjust. Gonzalo Pin, coordinator of the Sleep and Chronobiology Committee of the Spanish Pediatric Association, highlights that parents may notice increased irritability and decreased concentration in their children during the days following the time change.
Experts agree that sleep is the most affected aspect of daily life due to the time change. Carlos Egea, president of the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies (FESMES), points out that 60% of Spaniards do not get enough sleep, a problem that may worsen with the time shift. He emphasizes that while people generally prefer longer daylight hours for leisure activities, this preference can come at the cost of their health.
Nutritionist Clara Puig Muñoz adds that the alteration in circadian rhythms can also affect eating habits and hunger sensations. With more daylight in the evenings, people may feel more energetic, potentially leading to later meal times and increased socialization, which can result in higher alcohol consumption and dining out. To support digestion, she recommends having dinner two to three hours before bedtime to avoid sleep disturbances.
The practice of changing the clocks dates back to the 1970s, initiated during the oil crisis to make better use of natural light and reduce electricity consumption. Spain adopted the time change in 1974, and it has been a fixture of life ever since. Currently, the time change will continue until at least October 2026, as stipulated in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
According to a survey conducted by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) in November 2023, 65.8% of respondents expressed a desire to abolish the time change, with 68.5% preferring summer time over winter time. This sentiment is echoed across Europe, where a survey by the European Commission found that 84% of participants favored ending the clock changes.
Despite the widespread preference for eliminating the time change, the European Union has yet to reach a consensus on the matter. In September 2018, the European Commission proposed to end the practice, but disagreements among member states have stalled progress. In the meantime, the current legislation mandates that the time change will occur every last Sunday of March and October.
The debate over whether to maintain summer or winter time continues. Some experts argue for a permanent switch to winter time, as it avoids excessive evening light that can disrupt biological mechanisms regulating the circadian rhythm. Professor Darío Acuña from the University of Granada advocates for maintaining winter time, citing its more balanced nature and the gradual changes in daylight throughout the seasons.
As Spain prepares for another clock change, the impact on health, productivity, and overall well-being remains a pressing concern. The loss of sleep and the potential for disrupted routines prompt many to question whether the benefits of longer daylight hours truly outweigh the drawbacks of this twice-yearly adjustment.
In conclusion, while the transition to summer time may bring longer evenings, the repercussions on health and daily life are significant and warrant careful consideration. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen if Spain will eventually choose to abandon this practice altogether.
