That wonderful time of year where we get another hour in bed is almost upon us as the clocks are almost ready to go back once more.
It’s one of those things we’d probably have to explain to aliens if they ever got round to visiting, the idea that some countries will just ditch an hour out of the day at one point in the year and stick it back on again later.
By doing this, we shunt the mornings a little bit earlier in the daily cycle when it’s summer and set things back to the way they were later on in the calendar.
However, researchers from the British Sleep Society have warned that when the clocks go back from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) we ought to keep them there.
We’re about to return to Greenwich Mean Time. (Getty Stock Photo)
When do the clocks go back?
The clocks will go back this year in the very early hours of Sunday morning, so at 2am BST on 27 October, the clocks will switch to 1am GMT and the UK will have to do the one o’clock to two o’clock thing all over again.
Granted, you’ll probably be asleep by that point and miss the whole thing, which is probably for the best as it means you get an extra hour in bed.
If you’re staying up until 2am just to see it go back to 1am so you can make the most of having that particular ‘to do with what you will’ all over again then, you’re probably on a night out or a night owl.
Remember to reset your watches when you wake up on Sunday morning along with all the various other timekeeping devices which won’t automatically sort themselves out.
Remember, you’re getting 2am twice on Sunday. (Getty Stock Photo)
Why do the clocks go back?
Many a civilisation has tailored their time around the availability of sunlight throughout the year, but the idea of simply shifting things up by an hour and then shifting them back is relatively new in the grand scheme of things.
Some people changed their own personal timetable rather than making everyone change times, and it wasn’t until the First World War that many countries started to adopt the method we now use.
It’s actually a myth that it was done for the benefit of farmers as it was actually done to save on domestic consumption of coal during wartime.
Germany and Austria-Hungary introduced it in 1916, and a few weeks later the UK decided to follow suit along with many other countries.
The first ever use of BST kicked in from 21 May and ended on 1 October, 1916.
Between 1941 and 1945 the UK adopted British Double Summer Time (BDST), putting us two hours ahead for most of the Second World War.
BDST was briefly re-introduced for one year in 1947 and there was a trial to keep us on one consistent time between 1968 and 1971 but that was scrapped.
The UK first introduced the clocks changing in 1916 to try and save on coal use in the First World War. (Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
When do they go forward again?
The upcoming period of GMT which kicks in on 27 October will last for several months before coming to an end on 30 March next year.
As much as that extra hour to do whatever you like with, which let’s face it will probably be sleeping, is brilliant you will lose an hour.
At 1am on Sunday, 30 March the clocks will automatically jump ahead to 2am and you won’t even get to enjoy the hour, so that Sunday is probably going to be a bit naff.
Switching the clocks forward and back sounds like it’s bad for your health. (Getty Stock Photo)
What’s the problem with changing times?
According to the experts, there are a few problems that come with fiddling around with the concept of time.
The BSS warned that switching times can mess with our circadian rhythm, the natural cycle the body goes through each day, and that can lead to negative health impacts.
They said: “The British Sleep Society recommends the restoration of permanent Standard Time in the UK (GMT). From a sleep and circadian health perspective, this option is preferable to twice-yearly changes to DST, and strongly preferable to permanent DST.”
Other studies have shown that messing with the circadian rhythm can damage a person’s mood and even put people at a higher risk of heart attacks or a stroke.
Oddly enough, it also has a noticeable impact on the number of car accidents, with one study that looked at the matter over a 20 year period and examining over 700,000 crashes finding a six percent increase in fatal car crashes in the week after the clocks changed.
Just as putting the clocks going forward was made to save on energy consumption, putting them back is estimated to cost you a bit more on your bills.
There have long been calls to stop mucking about with time itself. (Walter Kelleher/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
Will we ever break the cycle?
Sorry gang, at present it doesn’t sound like there’s any serious plans from the government to scrap BST and just have us on GMT for the whole year.
The circadian confusion is set to continue for a good while longer, along with all the impacts it has and against the advice from the British Sleep Society.
Sort it out, Keir.
