As the last weekend of March approaches, Spain is preparing for its annual ritual of adjusting the clocks, moving forward one hour at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 30, 2025. This shift marks the beginning of daylight saving time, a practice that has been a part of Spanish life since 1974, introduced to maximize daylight and reduce energy consumption.
On this day, Spaniards will lose an hour of sleep as the clocks jump directly from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM. In the Canary Islands, the change will occur at 1:00 AM, moving to 2:00 AM. This time adjustment is not merely a logistical detail; it has significant implications for daily routines, health, and even the economy.
The ongoing debate surrounding daylight saving time is fueled by mixed feelings among the population. While many welcome the longer evenings filled with sunlight, others voice concerns over the impact on health and well-being. A survey conducted by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) in 2023 revealed that two out of three Spaniards preferred to discontinue the practice of changing the clocks. Notably, 66% favored maintaining the longer days of summer time year-round, while only 24% preferred the shorter winter days.
Historically, the rationale behind the clock changes has been energy savings, allowing people to make better use of natural daylight. However, recent studies have called this benefit into question. Critics argue that while there may be slight reductions in lighting costs, these are often offset by increased heating or cooling needs, depending on the season. The effectiveness of this practice has been increasingly scrutinized, leading to calls for a reevaluation of its necessity.
In 2018, the European Commission conducted a non-binding consultation involving over 4.6 million participants, with a staggering 80% in favor of abolishing the seasonal time changes. Following this, the European Parliament supported a resolution in 2019 that allowed individual member states to choose whether to maintain summer or winter time permanently. However, a lack of consensus among countries has stalled any definitive action, and Spain continues to adhere to the twice-yearly clock adjustments.
As the clock change approaches, health experts are warning of the potential negative effects on the human body. According to recent findings from Professor Darío Acuña at the University of Granada, the shift disrupts the natural synchronization between our environment and the circadian rhythms regulated by the hypothalamus. This can lead to increased irritability, fatigue, and even health issues such as cardiovascular problems.
Many people experience sleep disturbances during the transition, as the body's internal clock struggles to adjust to the new schedule. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, who may be more sensitive to such changes. The potential for increased traffic accidents due to drowsy driving is another issue that has been highlighted following the time change.
While the practice of altering clocks is common in many parts of the world, less than 40% of countries still observe seasonal time changes. Countries like Russia and Belarus have opted to maintain a fixed time year-round, while Turkey has chosen to keep daylight saving time permanently since 2016. In contrast, many Asian and African nations, including China and Japan, have long abandoned the practice.
In the Americas, the situation varies. The United States and Canada observe daylight saving time, but exceptions exist in places like Hawaii and Arizona, where the clock remains unchanged. Mexico, after evaluating the impact of daylight saving time, eliminated it in 2022 for most of the country.
As Spain prepares for the clock change, citizens are reminded of the importance of adapting to the new schedule to mitigate its effects. Experts recommend gradually shifting sleep schedules in the days leading up to the change, increasing exposure to natural light in the morning, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine before bedtime. Maintaining regular meal and sleep patterns can also help ease the transition.
Despite the ongoing debates and health concerns, the clock change on March 30 will proceed as planned, with the next adjustment set for October 26, 2025, when clocks will be set back one hour to return to winter time. For now, the practice continues, a reminder of the complexities of timekeeping in modern society.
