According to a survey, one in three complains of physical or psychological complaints after the time change. At 33 percent, the value is at its highest level in ten years, as the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit announced on Friday in Hamburg. In 2013, only about one in four (24 percent) reported health problems.
Forsa surveyed around a thousand people nationwide from September 26th to 28th. Only one or one in five respondents (20 percent) believes that regular time changes make sense. More than three quarters would want to abolish them.
Next Sunday the clocks will be set back from three to two o’clock at night. From then on, winter or standard time will apply again in all European countries. More than three quarters of those who have had problems after the time change say they feel weak and tired (82 percent). Two thirds (68 percent) complain about problems falling asleep and sleep disorders.
44 percent find it harder to concentrate after the time change, and more than a third (37 percent) feel irritable. Almost one in five people even report depressive moods. A quarter were late for work after the time change. Overall, women suffer significantly more often from health problems (39 percent) than men (26 percent)
Approval of the time change is particularly low in East Germany – there only about one in ten think it makes sense. For comparison: In Baden-Württemberg the approval rating is 28 percent and is therefore at the top nationwide. In the Federal Republic of Germany and almost simultaneously in the GDR, summer time was introduced in 1980 in response to the oil crisis. The aim was to save energy. But according to analyses, energy saving effects are hardly detectable.
The abolition of the time change was actually planned last year. This was provided for by a resolution of the European Parliament. However, there is currently a lack of further concrete planning at the EU level. For final abolition, a decision by the Council of the European Union would be necessary.
