Health summer time
The time change affects the health of a third of people
Status: 28.03.2024 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Quelle: Getty Images/Kinga Krzeminska
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On Easter weekend the clock is set forward one hour. The benefits and effects of the time change are much discussed. A survey now shows that some suffer physical or psychological problems as a result. This affects women more than men.
According to a survey, almost a third of people in Germany feel that the change to summer time has a negative impact on their health. According to a representative Forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit, 30 percent of Germans suffer from the change from winter to summer time. This is five percentage points more than in the previous year and the highest value in the past ten years, said the DAK.
At 39 percent, women feel particularly affected – an increase of nine percentage points compared to the previous year. For men it is 20 percent.
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74 percent of all respondents said they thought the time change was unnecessary and would abolish it. On the other hand, 23 percent think regular time changes make sense. This Sunday the clocks will be set forward from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. at night. From then on, summer time applies again.
At 39 percent, the 45 to 59 year old age group most often cites complaints in connection with the time change.
Sleep disorders due to time changes
Across all age groups, 79 percent of those who had ever had problems with the time change said they were tired and weak, while 63 percent complained of problems falling asleep and sleeping disorders. Other frequently mentioned complaints include difficulty concentrating (39 percent) and irritability (32 percent).
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In addition, 10 percent of those surveyed reported depressive moods. Almost a fifth of working people (19 percent) said they did not get to work on time due to the time change.
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As every year, many people are probably asking themselves the question at the weekend: In which direction does the clock hand turn? In a survey by the opinion research institute YouGov, 72 percent said that the clock would now be set forward one hour. Twelve percent, however, were certain that it was exactly the other way around. Another twelve percent were not sure.
Forsa surveyed 1,000 people aged 14 and over nationwide between March 1st and 5th, 2024. YouGov surveyed 3,687 people aged 18 and over on March 27th.