For many people the time change is not a problem. However, some complain about health consequences. According to a recent survey, it affects women more often than men.
According to a recent survey, more women than men suffer from health problems such as sleep disorders or fatigue because of the time change. 37 percent of women expressed this opinion in a representative Forsa survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit, based in Hamburg. For men it was 22 percent, as the health insurance company announced. A good three quarters of those surveyed (76 percent) stated that they considered the regular changeover to be unnecessary and that it should be abolished.
The main symptom of those affected is fatigue. 81 percent of all respondents
health problems have already suffered as a result. 64 percent reported sleep problems, meaning almost one in two people have difficulty concentrating (48 percent). One in five people came to work late after the time change. Compared to the previous year, according to DAK information, the number of people who had already had health problems after the time change fell by three percentage points.
There are regional differences in the rejection of the time change. In eastern Germany 82 percent are against it, in northern Germany 79 percent are against it. North Rhine-Westphalia has the lowest rejection rate at 71 percent. Nationwide, 74 percent of men and 78 percent of women would forego a time change. Between September 30th and October 2nd, 1,001 people were surveyed nationwide.
On Sunday (October 27th) the clocks will go back from 3:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. From then on, normal time will apply again after summer time. In 1980, summer time was introduced in the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR. One goal was to save energy. Summer time has been in effect across the EU since 1996 and begins on the last Sunday in March. On the last Sunday in October, the clocks in all European Union countries go back.