This Sunday at 1am, the nation will lose an hour as the clocks spring forward for Daylight Saving Time. While this biannual change is often met with groans and sleep disruptions, perhaps it’s time to reconsider when—and how—we adjust our clocks.
A recent Travelodge survey found that nearly 60% of Brits would prefer to scrap Daylight Saving Time altogether. Instead of abandoning it, though, what if we shifted the clock change to a more convenient and even enjoyable time? Here’s a half-serious proposal: move the clocks forward not at 1am on Sunday, but at 4pm on Friday afternoon.
Currently, when clocks fall back in October, the timing benefits the nightlife scene, adding an extra hour during one of the biggest party nights of the year—Halloween. That extra hour fuels socializing, late-night snacks, and transport services, while also granting some folks an extended Sunday lie-in. People rarely complain about gaining an hour during the night.
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The spring clock change is a different story. Losing an hour’s sleep early Sunday morning often throws schedules off, leading to a spate of morning confusion and even contributing to health risks and increased traffic accidents. Transitioning to a Friday afternoon reset could alleviate these issues by aligning the time change with the close of the traditional workweek.
Changing clocks at 4pm on Friday would give everyone a natural reminder — no need to worry about forgetting in the middle of the night. For many, it might mean wrapping up work an hour earlier, easing into the longer evenings as spring arrives. While some might worry about lost productivity, the last hour on a Friday is seldom peak working time. Instead, businesses like pubs and restaurants could see a boost as people head out early to enjoy the evening.
Though this idea hasn’t been scientifically tested yet, it seems logical that an early start to longer daylight hours could lift moods, support local economies, and minimize the sleep disruption we currently face. So this year, instead of reluctantly setting your clock forward as you drift back to sleep, imagine finishing the workweek an hour early and stepping into spring outside.