This Sunday, as the clocks spring forward at 1am, most of us will lose an hour of sleep. It’s a ritual many find frustrating. According to a Travelodge survey, nearly three in five Brits want to see Daylight Saving Time scrapped altogether. But instead of getting rid of it, what if we changed when we shift the clocks?
Here’s a fresh idea: rather than changing clocks at 1am on a Sunday, why not do it at 4pm on a Friday? This small adjustment could turn the experience into something people anticipate, and even give the economy a gentle boost.
Consider the “fall back” change in October. When clocks move back from 2am to 1am on the Saturday before Halloween, nightlife venues gain an extra hour on one of the busiest party nights of the year. This means more time for dressing up, socializing, and spending money on drinks, food, and taxis.
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But in March, losing an hour of sleep at 1am on a Sunday is often unwelcome. Before smartphones took over, the time change could easily slip people’s minds, leading to missed appointments and general confusion. It’s also been linked to health issues and a rise in road accidents. Wouldn’t it be better to shift the clocks during the day, when people are awake and more aware?
Changing time at 4pm on a Friday has distinct advantages. Many employees might finish work early, turning the lost hour into a mini head start on the weekend. This avoids the harmful effects of sleep loss and makes the change more noticeable, so fewer people forget.
Some might worry that losing an hour of work could hurt productivity, but late Friday afternoons are rarely the most bustling part of the workweek. Instead, this change could encourage people to unwind earlier at pubs and restaurants, potentially refreshing the economy in a subtle way.
While formal studies have yet to explore this concept, it’s easy to imagine many would gladly swap that last hour on a Friday for extra daylight and a chance to start the weekend early.
So next time the clocks go forward, could 4pm on a Friday be the new time to change? It’s an idea worth considering.