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Putting clocks back damages our health, says expert | Putting clocks back damages our health, says expert |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Not putting the clocks back this weekend would help people exercise more and stay healthier, says an expert. | Not putting the clocks back this weekend would help people exercise more and stay healthier, says an expert. |
Dr Mayer Hillman, a public policy specialist at the Policy Studies Institute wants the UK to keep British Summer Time in winter. | Dr Mayer Hillman, a public policy specialist at the Policy Studies Institute wants the UK to keep British Summer Time in winter. |
In the British Medical Journal, Dr Hillman suggests being two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in spring, giving more chance to exercise outside. | In the British Medical Journal, Dr Hillman suggests being two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in spring, giving more chance to exercise outside. |
But psychologist Dr David Lewis said it was a finely-balanced argument. | |
Dr Hillman, senior fellow emeritus at PSI, is concerned by surveys that show a trend towards declining fitness and predictions that more than half the population will be clinically obese by 2050. | Dr Hillman, senior fellow emeritus at PSI, is concerned by surveys that show a trend towards declining fitness and predictions that more than half the population will be clinically obese by 2050. |
He proposes not putting the clocks back in October in one year, but still putting clocks forward in the subsequent spring. | He proposes not putting the clocks back in October in one year, but still putting clocks forward in the subsequent spring. |
This would put the UK one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter and two hours ahead in summer, known as Single/Double Summer Time, adopting the same time as France, Germany and Spain. | This would put the UK one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter and two hours ahead in summer, known as Single/Double Summer Time, adopting the same time as France, Germany and Spain. |
Dr Hillman says that the extra hour of evening daylight would give everyone more opportunities to be active outdoors, and help us become fitter and healthier. | Dr Hillman says that the extra hour of evening daylight would give everyone more opportunities to be active outdoors, and help us become fitter and healthier. |
"The common reaction to the prospect of less daylight and sunlight when the clocks are put back at the end of October - signalling as it does the end of outdoor activity and the onset of a largely indoor leisure life - is a negative one," Dr Hillman writes. | "The common reaction to the prospect of less daylight and sunlight when the clocks are put back at the end of October - signalling as it does the end of outdoor activity and the onset of a largely indoor leisure life - is a negative one," Dr Hillman writes. |
"The additional hours of daylight would considerably increase opportunities for outdoor leisure activities: about 300 more for adults and 200 more for children each year, given typical daily patterns of activity." | "The additional hours of daylight would considerably increase opportunities for outdoor leisure activities: about 300 more for adults and 200 more for children each year, given typical daily patterns of activity." |
Seasonal change | Seasonal change |
Physical exercise has been shown to improve cardio-vascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and some cancers. | Physical exercise has been shown to improve cardio-vascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and some cancers. |
Research also shows that people feel happier and more energetic during the longer, brighter days of summer. | Research also shows that people feel happier and more energetic during the longer, brighter days of summer. |
During the shorter, duller days of winter, however, mood tends to decline. | During the shorter, duller days of winter, however, mood tends to decline. |
Dr Hillman concludes: "Adopting this proposal for a clock change is an effective, practical, and remarkably easily managed way to better align our waking hours with the available daylight during the year." | Dr Hillman concludes: "Adopting this proposal for a clock change is an effective, practical, and remarkably easily managed way to better align our waking hours with the available daylight during the year." |
British Summer Time was established in 1916 to give farmers more daylight hours to work in their fields. | British Summer Time was established in 1916 to give farmers more daylight hours to work in their fields. |
Scottish farmers, particularly, have always been opposed to changing the current set-up because they would have to deal with an extended period of morning darkness. | Scottish farmers, particularly, have always been opposed to changing the current set-up because they would have to deal with an extended period of morning darkness. |
Dr David Lewis, a chartered psychologist who has done research into the effect of sunshine on our well-being, says there are arguments for both sides. | Dr David Lewis, a chartered psychologist who has done research into the effect of sunshine on our well-being, says there are arguments for both sides. |
"If people can be persuaded to get out more and exercise after school and work, they are more likely to do it if it's light, than if it's dark." | "If people can be persuaded to get out more and exercise after school and work, they are more likely to do it if it's light, than if it's dark." |
"But there is a danger that people leaving for work in the morning don't really wake up properly if it's not light." | "But there is a danger that people leaving for work in the morning don't really wake up properly if it's not light." |
Dr Lewis agrees that anything that gives people the opportunity to exercise more is a good idea. | Dr Lewis agrees that anything that gives people the opportunity to exercise more is a good idea. |
"As people get older, they should maintain a certain level of physical health. The costs of obesity to society are great and growing." | "As people get older, they should maintain a certain level of physical health. The costs of obesity to society are great and growing." |
Exercising during daylight is "more likely to elevate mood, improve sense of well-being and help people get to sleep", he says. | Exercising during daylight is "more likely to elevate mood, improve sense of well-being and help people get to sleep", he says. |
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "It is recommended that adults do 30 minutes of exercise five times a week and children do 60 minutes each day. | A Department of Health spokesperson said: "It is recommended that adults do 30 minutes of exercise five times a week and children do 60 minutes each day. |
"There are lots of activities to do in the winter, like swimming, dance, using the gym, or taking up an indoor sport. People can still do exercise outdoors like taking a walk or riding a bike with lights." | "There are lots of activities to do in the winter, like swimming, dance, using the gym, or taking up an indoor sport. People can still do exercise outdoors like taking a walk or riding a bike with lights." |
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