Clock Change to Solar Time: A "Mini Jet Lag" for the Body

Twice a year, many countries shift their clocks, including the move back to solar time, commonly known as winter time. According to health experts, this shift can act like a small-scale jet lag, the tiredness usually associated with long-distance flights.

Although the clock only moves by one hour, the change can still disrupt the body's circadian rhythm, the internal cycle that regulates sleep, alertness and mood. Experts note that even minor shifts in this rhythm can lead to short-term fatigue, difficulty concentrating or disturbed sleep patterns.

In Italy, the clock change has also become a political issue. Barabotti, a member of the Lega party, addressed the topic in parliament. The Camera, Italy's lower chamber, approved a motion with a unanimous vote to move beyond the current system of switching between solar and daylight saving time twice a year.

While the vote reflects broad political agreement, it remains unclear when or how the shift away from the biannual change will be implemented in practice.

Meanwhile, as the seasonal shift approaches, many people are seeking basic information: when exactly the clock change will occur, and whether clocks should be moved forward or backward. These questions resurface annually around the same time.

Health professionals often recommend gradually adjusting sleep schedules in the days leading up to the change, suggesting that going to bed slightly earlier or later can help minimise disruption to the body's rhythm. Though the clock change itself is minor, cumulative effects on sleep and daily routine are part of why health experts continue to study and discuss its impact each year.