At the end of October, the clocks will be switched to winter time. You can find out how you can deal with sleep disorders and concentration problems here – and also how you can save energy with the winter time.
Winter time 2025: Change of time on Sunday the 26th from 3 to 2 a.m.
The time change to winter time is always on the last Sunday in October. This year the time change falls on October 26, 2024: The clocks will be placed back to two o’clock (CET) on Sunday morning at three o’clock (CEST)-so you win an hour.
With the following sentences you can remember whether the clocks will be pre- or reset in winter:
- In autumn you put the garden furniture back in the scales.
- You always change the clock “towards” summer – so back in autumn.
- The temperatures go back in winter, so the clock is turned back.
Tips for changing the time 2025: Cut down winter time better
On the last Sunday of October, the whole daily routine shifts by one hour due to the change of time to winter: you can theoretically sleep an hour longer. However, this can mess up your rhythm. In the following we will tell you how to better change the time change.
- Do not sleep the additional hour the next morning, but get up at least half an hour earlier. Then it is easier for you to change the time.
- Keep your trot on the day of the time change to winter time with some sport in the fresh air to prevent tiredness and sleep disorders. Going a walk is also helpful.
- If you cannot fall asleep in the evening: In our article “Tips to fall asleep” you will find some home remedies. For example, fresh herbal teas are helpful. Meliss tea and valerian calm down and ensure a good sleep.
- Also eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables (we recommend seasonal products in organic quality and from the region). Because that not only helps against digestive problems, but also against weakness in concentration and irritability.
- When it gets dark in winter, mood swings are also more common, also known as “winter blues”. Best surround yourself with people who give you joy or treat yourself to something nice in the extra hour on Sunday that you have always wanted to do.
Symptoms: This is how winter time affects the body
The time change to winter time is like a mini jet lag. Because the time change affects the biological clock. Especially those who get up and sleep every day at the same time can notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sleep disorders,
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Fatigue,
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Mood fluctuations,
- People’s concentration,
- Irritability,
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Loss of appetite,
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Digestion problems.
The EU Commission wanted to know in 2018 how the EU citizens are: the inside of the time and whether they want a permanent summer or winter time. So an online survey was started. The EU vote on the time change broke records. After that, the resistance against abolition and expert also grew: inside warned of serious consequences of a permanent summer time for health and psyche.
According to the European Parliament’s draft, all EU countries should actually decide whether they wanted to keep summer or winter time permanently. Since then, however, the exact coordination has proven to be quite complicated. Therefore, an early determination and thus end of the time change after all are not yet foreseeable.
Does winter time save energy?
The time change was introduced in 1980 to save energy. According to the Federal Environment Agency, less light is needed in the evening, but more in the morning has to be heated in the morning. So the savings effect stands out. A spokeswoman for the Federal Association of Energy and Water Management also argues: “The shooting at the pointer for winter and summer time does not bring any noticeable energy savings.”
Some experts even argue that an eternal summer time would save energy. Korbinian von Blanckenburg, professor at the Technical University of Ostwestfalen-Lippe, said “Rheinische Post”: “The lighter it is in the evening, the less electricity is consumed.” He speaks of a savings potential of up to 700 million euros per year with permanent summer time.
It’s not that easy. Christoph Mordziol from the Federal Environment Agency, for example, emphasizes that not only electricity consumption at home has to be taken into account. “In the event of changed leisure behavior, it can be assumed that activity outside the house leads to energy consumption increases in the transport and leisure sector.”
He emphasizes: “It seems obvious that the currently usual switch to summer time only leads to minor energy savings, that is, that it only fulfills its original purpose poorly.” In addition, time changes within the EU would have a different effect. For example, the respective location, such as the climate, duration and intensity of sunlight, economy or culture, must always be taken into account in calculations. An example: If the permanent summer time would come, it would be possible for Spain in winter until shortly before 10 a.m. All agree on winter time, it would be bright in Warsaw at 3:00 a.m. in summer. The time change twice a year dampens this extreme.
The EU Commission also speaks of insignificant savings through the change of time. The Brussels authority refers to different factors that have had an impact on energy consumption depending on the geographical location of a country. “Some studies indicate that summer time in connection with more leisure activities could have positive effects,” it says. But there are also research results that indicated that health effects such as the biorhythm could be more serious than previously assumed.
A promising initiative to really abolish the time change is currently not in sight. The presidency among EU countries-currently the Czech Republic has the helm in hand-has not put the topic on the agenda. The EU Commission has made a proposal on how the change could be abolished, but the states of the European Union cannot agree. The project has been on ice in Brussels for a long time.
With material of the dpa
Read more on utopia.de:
- Does summer really save energy?
- Guide heating: vent and other questions and answers
- You must not forget this watch when changing the time!
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