Winter time 2022: When is the time change – and whether it really saves energy

At the end of October the clocks are switched to winter time. You can find out here how you can deal with sleep disorders and concentration problems – and also how you can save energy during the winter months.

Winter time 2022: Time change on Sunday the 30th from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m

The changeover to winter time is always on the last Sunday in October. So this year the time change falls on October 30, 2022: The clocks are set back to two o’clock (CET) on Sunday morning at 3 a.m. (CEST) – so you gain an hour.

With the following sentences you can remember in future whether the clocks are put back or forward in winter:

• In autumn you put the garden furniture BACK in the shed.
• You always set the clock “towards” summer – so BACK in autumn.
• In winter, temperatures drop, so the clock is turned BACK.

Tips for the time change 2022: cope better with winter time

On the last Sunday in October, the entire daily routine is shifted by one hour due to the time change to winter time: theoretically, you can sleep an hour longer. However, this can throw off your rhythm. In the following, we will tell you how you can cope better with the time change.

1. Don’t sleep through the extra hour the next morning, but get up at least half an hour earlier. Then the time change will be easier for you.
2. On the day of the time change to winter time, keep yourself busy with some exercise in the fresh air to prevent tiredness and sleep disorders. Going for a walk is also helpful.
3. If you have trouble falling asleep in the evening: In our article “Tips for falling asleep” you will find some home remedies. Fresh herbal teas, for example, are helpful. Lemon balm tea and valerian soothe and ensure a good night’s sleep.
4. Also, eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg (we recommend seasonal, organic, and locally sourced produce). Because that not only helps against digestive problems, but also against lack of concentration and irritability.
5. When it gets dark earlier in the winter, mood swings also occur more often, also known as the “winter blues”. It’s best to surround yourself with people who make you happy or treat yourself to something nice that you’ve always wanted to do in the extra hour on Sunday.

Symptoms: This is how winter affects the body

The time change to winter time is like a mini jet lag. Because the time change affects the biological clock. Especially if you get up and go to bed at the same time every day, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Sleep disorders,

• Fatigue,

• mood swings,

• poor concentration,
• irritation

• loss of appetite,

• digestive problems.

In 2018, the EU Commission wanted to know how EU citizens feel about the time change and whether they would like summer or winter time to be permanent. So an online survey was started. The EU vote on the time change broke records. After that, resistance to the abolition grew and experts warned of the serious consequences of a permanent summer time for health and psyche.

Actually, according to the draft of the European Parliament, all EU states should decide for themselves whether they want 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 is not foreseeable after all.

Does the winter time save energy?

The time change was introduced in 1980 to save energy. According to the Federal Environment Agency, less light is required in the evenings in summer, but more heating is required in the mornings in winter. So the saving effect cancels out.

If you want to save energy, you can follow the following tips:

• Heat properly: These 15 tips save money and protect the environment
• 15 tips for saving energy in the bathroom: How to reduce electricity and water consumption
• Pressure cooker cooking times: How to cook energy-efficiently
• Save gas: How to use less
• Saving hot water: 5 tips that you can easily implement
• Oven symbols: use them correctly and save energy
• Saving energy with the short wash program: Why this is a mistake

Read more on Utopia:

• Does summer time really save energy?
• Advice on heating: venting and other questions and answers
• Smoothie Recipes: 3 healthy winter smoothies that will warm you up