Today a campaign called Lighter Later presents its research to Parliament regarding major changes to our time-keeping.
The points that it makes are certainly valid on environmental, economical and societal issues, but makes absolutely no allowance for the effect that this would have the physical health issues that would arise in a vast number of the population.
It’s all very well pushing the environmental argument, but what about the health problems that constantly messing with our body clocks would causes?
When I worked for a GP one of the most common ailments prevalent during the spring/summer months (apart from hayfever) was something vaguely referred to as “summer fatigue” – due to having to change our bodies’ routines in accordance with the constant changing of the clocks.
If you are going to advance the clocks by 1 hour permanently, fine, but why not leave it there?
If we are still being subjected to the spring/autumn clock changes even after advancing the clocks by 1 hour, then personal health can be affected. Just advance the clocks 1 hour and leave it at that. Give our bodies a chance!!!
Just as our bodies get used to one regime, the clocks change and we have to get used to getting up an hour earlier or later anyway. Tired people make mistakes when driving etc, regardless of how light it is.
As for the tourism argument, businesses will still close at 4 or 5.00 pm, regardless of how much daylight is left. Alternatively, they will demand longer working hours from their staff – again causing personal health issues.
The research regarding the economical/societal/environmental issues is extensive, but has anyone bothered to research how this would affect the physical health of PEOPLE, who actually have to live with the effects of this decision -or don’t they count?
By the way - Happy Solstice!
The points that it makes are certainly valid on environmental, economical and societal issues, but makes absolutely no allowance for the effect that this would have the physical health issues that would arise in a vast number of the population.
It’s all very well pushing the environmental argument, but what about the health problems that constantly messing with our body clocks would causes?
When I worked for a GP one of the most common ailments prevalent during the spring/summer months (apart from hayfever) was something vaguely referred to as “summer fatigue” – due to having to change our bodies’ routines in accordance with the constant changing of the clocks.
If you are going to advance the clocks by 1 hour permanently, fine, but why not leave it there?
If we are still being subjected to the spring/autumn clock changes even after advancing the clocks by 1 hour, then personal health can be affected. Just advance the clocks 1 hour and leave it at that. Give our bodies a chance!!!
Just as our bodies get used to one regime, the clocks change and we have to get used to getting up an hour earlier or later anyway. Tired people make mistakes when driving etc, regardless of how light it is.
As for the tourism argument, businesses will still close at 4 or 5.00 pm, regardless of how much daylight is left. Alternatively, they will demand longer working hours from their staff – again causing personal health issues.
The research regarding the economical/societal/environmental issues is extensive, but has anyone bothered to research how this would affect the physical health of PEOPLE, who actually have to live with the effects of this decision -or don’t they count?
By the way - Happy Solstice!
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