Summer time is over: This is how the time change affects our health!

Summer time is over: This is how the time change affects our health!

The time change brings with it all sorts of excitement. On the night of October 25th to 26th, 2025 it was that time again: the clocks were set back at 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. and we have now officially arrived in winter time. This means we can look forward to an hour more sleep, which will certainly come in handy for many. But winter also has its dark sides.

From now on, Central European Time (CET) applies, which ideally coincides with the highest position of the sun around midday. A plus point is that it gets light an hour earlier in the morning, which might make getting up a little easier. But be careful: the change to winter time not only means a change in the time frame, but also a change in the biorhythm for many people. Hello Herne reports that it takes up to 14 days for the body and mind to adjust to the new time.

Health effects of the time change

But how does the change affect our health? Unfortunately, it is rather negative, as several studies show. Chronobiologists call daylight saving time the “wrong time zone” because we live for seven months in a state that does not correspond to the natural light rhythm. On October 26, 2025, at least the change to winter time was completed, which causes fewer health problems than summer time. According to a study from Stanford University, even a permanent standard time could reduce the incidence of obesity and strokes, which could be achieved through a sustainable transition to the CET. daily news adds that a DAK survey shows that 30% of Germans report fatigue and sleep disorders after the time change.

Women and people between the ages of 45 and 59 are particularly affected by the health disadvantages. Interestingly, neurological studies also show that people who regularly suffer from sleep disorders may experience a significant increase in migraine attacks after switching to daylight saving time. NDR reports an increase in heart attacks, especially after the daylight saving time change - a risk that many scientists attribute to irregularities in biorhythms.

Public opinion on the time change

Public opinion on the time change is also exciting. A survey shows that a majority of citizens not only want the time change to be abolished, but also prefer permanent summer time. This wish is understandable - after all, the longer evening invitation seems at least tempting. But the health risks associated with daylight saving time seem to counteract this preference.

The time change has been practiced in Germany since 1980, originally to make better use of daylight and save energy. However, recent research has shown that the hoped-for energy savings could not be achieved. At the same time, a uniform time regulation in the EU could help to avoid the “time zone patchwork”.

Radio-controlled clocks change automatically, but many people don't have this luxury. Instead, they have to struggle with the challenges of the time change in everyday life. Do you remember the last time change? It was a struggle to adjust in time while still listening to your body clock. Maybe it's time to choose a different, healthier path?

In the coming period, we will remain in winter time until March 29, 2026, before another change follows. Until then, it's time to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the new rhythms - that could help make the adaptation a little easier.