We are on the day before the autumn time change that will happen in the next morning, when at 3:00 a.m. we must delay the clock hands one hour. For people it is a considerable disorder that goes beyond the discomforts that we have to save the first days, for governments the measure translates (supposedly) into considerable energy savings.
I found it striking to read that Japan is the only industrialized country that has not adopted the regulations. And the rest began to change the time during World War I, to save fuel, the oil crisis being the moment in which the measure was definitively established.
There are experts who state that this time change is less hard than the one corresponding to Spring, because now we gain an hour, and our circadian rhythms are more than 24 hours, therefore (and in theory) we will only require a couple of days to return to normal. However also There are those who say that the 'lost hours' do not benefit us at all, since in the dark before we deprive ourselves of outdoor activities. And this in children translates into less time to play in the street or in the park when leaving school.
I have doubts about whether other energy saving measures at a global level would not be more effective, well more than doubts is that the lack of data prevents me from making assertions. But what I do know is that families should adopt small gestures oriented to this objective, and act in a somewhat logical way, for example, why do we think it is necessary to have heating in a municipality in which we do not go down in winter of 10 degrees?
Children and the elderly: the most affected
Although the children are attributed a great capacity for adaptation, it is also clear that they because of their young age, they are more connected to their own biological cycles, and in this sense they will find the change uncomfortable. Therefore, at home we can adapt simple measures in order to facilitate the transition, and let's not forget that if they are more irritable, tired or suffer from a temporary disorder in their eating / sleeping habits, it will be completely normal.
People with more than 50 years, the sick, and those who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases, are the most difficult to adapt.
To all the increase in hours of darkness will affect us more than the change in time itself, although the former is a consequence of the latter, so pay attention to our own mood!
It is very likely that the rhythms that life tries to impose on us in society (rush, nerves, schedules, unhealthy sleeping patterns, little time for oneself, etc.) affect much more severely than a simple change of time. But at the same time they are factors that can be modified by oneself: for example, instead of staying to watch a program at 22.30 I go to bed, or I don't feel obligated by friends who are going to have a drink after work because I prefer to ride my bike with my son
How to cope with change?
We must pay attention to children's sleep, and act responsibly.
We can increase opportunities for the whole family to get enough sunlight. Here it is not worth saying 'oh! but if the kids already have their 30 minutes of recess at school, that is, if they return home to eat we can take the opportunity to stop in the park or let them be in the street until the plate is on the table.
On the other hand, the use of melatonin (and less in children) to regulate soil cycles is not advised, unless there is an express prescription from the doctor and intended for people with special characteristics.
We will be more self-demanding with us (not with the kids) to re-organize family life and adapt it to the new schedules (meals, minimum hours of sleep, physical exercise, free time, etc.)
I personally do not like this schedule modification and yes it changes my mood, although later I adapted, and I understand that for our children, suddenly having an hour less to be away from home with natural light, should also affect them.
