What happens if clock is not set for daylight saving time? Overlooked consequences
What could be the consequences of refusing to change the clocks to daylight saving time (photo: freepik.com)
Every year in March, many countries switch to daylight saving time by setting the clocks forward one hour. But what happens if this isn’t done? Scientists warn that refusing to adjust the clocks can lead to health issues, decreased productivity, and even safety concerns. Let’s examine the risks of ignoring daylight saving time.
What happens if clocks aren’t set to daylight saving time
Daylight saving time is meant to optimize daylight hours. By now, it’s clear that there’s no real energy savings, but there are other reasons for the change. If "winter" time is kept, it can disrupt the human body, technical systems, and even work schedules.
Disrupted biorhythms
According to Stanford University professor William D. Coleman, canceling the time change can disrupt circadian rhythms. People will wake up and fall asleep at irregular times, which may lead to chronic fatigue and sleep problems.
Just imagine waking up at 4 or 5 a.m. because the sun is already up and starting to feel sleepy by 8 p.m. due to exhaustion.
Reduced productivity
Research by the American Psychological Association shows that misalignment between schedules and daylight reduces concentration and efficiency. This is particularly critical for office workers and students.
Safety issues
Desynchronization with transportation schedules can cause disruptions in railway, aviation, and road traffic. A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that this leads to an increase in traffic accidents.
Technical malfunctions
Some automated systems and servers operate on seasonal schedules. Canceling daylight saving time could cause software errors, schedule disruptions, and banking transaction issues.
Worsened mental and emotional health
Without daylight saving time, people may experience more frequent mood swings, apathy, and depression. Many could feel as they do in late autumn or winter - but for nearly the entire year.
"Our brain is sensitive to the amount of daylight. Staying on winter time increases the amount of darkness in the evening, which can contribute to depressive moods," explains Harvard Medical School neuroscientist Sarah Blanch.
What scientists say about abandoning daylight saving time
Some researchers, such as Dr Ruth Owens from University College London, believe that canceling the time change could be beneficial for certain regions that experience persistent darkness in winter. However, on a larger scale, it creates more problems than it solves.
Dr James Whittaker from the Sleep Research Center at the University of Oxford adds, “Even a one-hour desynchronization with natural daylight increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.”
"Abandoning seasonal time changes without adjusting work schedules accordingly may worsen sleep quality and overall well-being," says Professor Lisa Kelly from the University of California, Berkeley.
Professor Mark Lawrence from the European Center for Chronobiology emphasizes that daylight saving time helps synchronize people’s activity with natural light cycles. Canceling it without thoroughly analyzing the consequences is a risky move.
"Our research shows that permanent winter time is linked to higher levels of depression and anxiety in fall and winter," said Dr Catherine Wilson from Harvard School of Public Health.
Not setting the clocks forward isn’t just about forgetting to adjust the time - it’s about disrupting human biorhythms, increasing accident risks, and losing efficiency at work.
Sources: American Psychological Association, National Sleep Foundation, Harvard Medical School, University College London, Stanford University research.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
