When is Daylight Savings

In the night between Saturday and Sunday, France will go down in winter time. Whether for adults or younger, this time change is not without consequences ... Explanation of why and how and practical tips to put the record straight!

Twice a year it's the same old story! The switch to standard time occurs on the last Sunday in October at 3 am and the transition to daylight saving time occurs on the last Sunday in March at 2 am.

This change was introduced in France during World War I in 1916 to achieve energy savings. However many French opposing it was deleted and reinstated several times before being finally restored in 1975 to save electricity after the oil shock of 1974. Today, according to the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, "the annual energy savings resulting from implementation of the regime of summer time in this country would be 250 000 tonnes of oil equivalent ".

Those who advocate the abolition of the winter time and summer time estimate that these savings do not compensate for all the troubles that this schedule change causes. Indeed some people including youth and elderly in particular may suffer for three weeks of poor sleep, appetite, mood and work.

Under the project funded EUCLOCK by the European Union, researchers studied the sleep of more than 5000 people. According to their findings, the rhythm of sleep is more easily adapted to the time change in October as one that takes place in March

Beyond the debate which sees to clash between supporters and opponents to the time change, no studies to demonstrate the problems that it generates is considered irrefutable. If both sides stick to his guns, there are still some practical advice for living the schedule change.
1) Make Ahead

Start preparing as early as the week before the schedule change. Infants and the elderly are often disturbed by this shift that plays on the biological rhythm, it is most advisable to slightly shift the meal times, sunset and sunrise. Another tip, if you are sure not to arrive late to work or not to miss the ringing of the school, move gradually waking up.

2) Small changes

Before going to bed, change the time on all devices that the give and do not automatically: alarm clocks, ovens, televisions, refrigerators, freezers, apartment clocks, etc.. Not only that you will avoid unpleasant ringing in the morning while some of these devices have integrated alarm clocks, but mostly it will also facilitate your transition to the new schedule as soon as you open your eyes. However, in many cases computers, VCRs and answering machines are programmed to make this change alone, so better wait until morning to reprogram them if it does not happen by itself.

3) Do not be mad

It's not because you have an hour longer need to spend the night clubbing and empty the bar. With or without time change, alcohol disrupts sleep! Have fun and enjoy it reasonable to get the sleep you late.

4) Do not force yourself

According to a Senate report, "19% of physicians report an increase in the consumption of drugs and especially tranquilizers, when the time change, yet no scientific study can be attributed to this factor alone ". The fact remains that to avoid over-consumption of sleeping pills, sedatives, ..., it is best to listen to your body. If you yawn constantly, go to bed because it is the sure sign that your body needs to recover.

5) Remove cover

This seems so obvious that we think not! When you go out at night, the temperature will be colder than previously declined since an hour. More time that the body adapts to it can feel a slight excess of fatigue and be more susceptible to germs. Also to avoid catching a cold or other illness related to the season, remember to take a warm sweater.

Posted in: Sleep