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The government must stop changing the clocks because doctors warn
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The government must stop changing the clocks because doctors warn

A group of scientists and doctors have told the government to abolish the biennial clock changes in Britain.

The time change, which will take place this weekend, is damaging the nation’s sleep, the British Sleep Society (BSS) has warned.

Members of BSS, a professional organization for medical, scientific and healthcare professionals, say evidence clearly shows that natural daylight in the morning is good for sleep patterns, while changing the clock has a negative impact.

The association has issued a statement saying it “strongly recommends” that Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) – when the clocks go back – runs all year round.

They argue that circadian rhythms – the physical, mental and behavioral changes we experience over 24 hours – are most affected by clocks moving forward in spring.

The call comes because the clock has to go back this weekend. It is clear that the government has no plans to change the summer time system.

In Great Britain, the clocks go forward one hour at 1 a.m. on the last Sunday in March, and back one hour at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October.

The period in which the clocks are set forward one hour is British Summer Time (BST) and also known as summer time.

When the clocks turn back, Britain will be on GMT, also known as standard time.

The statement comes from academics from across the UK, led by Dr Megan Crawford from the University of Strathclyde, Dr Eva Winnebeck from the University of Surrey, and Professor Malcolm von Schantz from Northumbria University.

Sleep experts call for abolition of biannual clock changes in Britain (Alamy/PA)

Sleep experts call for abolition of biannual clock changes in Britain (Alamy/PA)

Prof von Schantz said that GMT “closely matches the natural light-dark cycles of day and night” and that “natural daylight in the morning is crucial for maintaining optimal coordination of our body clocks between day and night, which is essential for optimal sleep. and general health”.

He added: “Restoring permanent standard time (GMT) would mean our clocks would be closely aligned with solar time, and while this would mean earlier sunsets in the summer, there would be additional health benefits are due to improved sleep and circadian alignment due to increased exposure to morning sunlight from fall to spring.”

Dr. Winnebeck said: “What we often don’t realize is that Daylight Saving Time (BST) changes our schedules, moving them forward an hour, while daylight stays the same.

“It forces us all to get up an hour earlier and go to work or school. In seasons with less daylight, like now in the fall, this means most of us have to get up and commute in the dark.”

Dr. Crawford said there is a “misguided idea from a sleep and circadian health perspective” that clocks must move forward permanently.

“Mornings are when our body clocks are most in need of light to stay in sync,” she says.

“At our latitudes there is simply no extra daylight to spare during the winter months, and given the choice between natural light in the morning and natural light in the afternoon, the scientific evidence favors light in the morning.”