Changing the clocks: why we do it and whether we should stop switching to summer time

Spring begins once again with the loss of an hour’s sleep — Ukrainians are switching to summer time, despite years of debate. Does this still make sense today? How does it affect the body, and why has the country not yet abandoned the practice of changing the clocks? Find out why we have this tradition and how to cope with the time change without harming your health

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Tonight, on the night of 28–29 March 2026, millions of Ukrainians will once again lose an hour’s sleep. At exactly 03:00, the clocks will be set forward by one hour. This tradition, which is over a hundred years old, is causing increasing irritation and controversy with each passing year.

Why do we continue with this ‘clock-changing’ business when the harm to health is obvious and the economic benefits have long been in doubt? Let’s explore where this ritual came from and why it is so difficult to give it up.

Who came up with the idea of changing the clocks and why was it necessary

The idea of manipulating time arose from a desire to save money. The concept of making rational use of daylight was first put forward by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, whilst he was the US ambassador to France. He calculated how many candles Parisians could save if they rose with the first rays of the sun. However, historians agree that this was not a serious economic treatise, but rather a satirical joke.

The idea was implemented much later, and not out of a desire for a better life:

▪️ 1908: The first local experiment took place in the Canadian town of Thunder Bay.

▪️ 1916: Germany was the first to introduce daylight saving time at a national level. The First World War was raging, and it was vital for the country to save coal.

Soon, the UK, the US and over a hundred other countries joined the ‘coal-saving’ effort.

Does daylight saving time help save electricity today

The main argument of supporters of changing the clocks has always been economic — maximising the use of sunlight supposedly reduces lighting costs.

However, modern energy experts are debunking this myth. Today, the energy savings from changing the clocks amount to no more than 2%, which is effectively equivalent to a statistical margin of error. In the 21st century, the lion’s share of energy is not spent on light bulbs, but on the round-the-clock operation of servers, household appliances, air conditioning and industrial enterprises. The economic rationale for daylight saving time has been rendered obsolete by technological progress.

Read also: Ukraine switches to daylight saving time — important information for passengers who have purchased tickets for 29 March

Clock changes in Ukraine: why they cannot be abandoned

Ukraine began regularly changing the clocks in 1981. In the early 1990s, attempts were made to abandon this practice, but it was reinstated in 1992 — to synchronise with Europe.

Despite the fact that in 2024 the Verkhovna Rada passed a law abolishing the clock change (it was envisaged that the country would remain on ‘winter’ time permanently), the document was never signed. Therefore, in the spring of 2026, we will be changing the clocks again.

The reason for these complications lies in geography. Ukraine is a large country. The difference in solar time between the easternmost and westernmost points is as much as 68 minutes.

If we were to keep summer time permanently: in winter, the sun would rise in Uzhhorod at just 09:20. Children would have to walk to school in complete darkness.

If we were to keep winter time permanently: in summer, dawn would break in Kharkiv as early as 03:00, and dusk would fall far too early.

Changing the clocks remains inconvenient, but for now it is the only compromise that balances daylight hours across different regions of the country.

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How changing the clocks affects human health

Doctors are sounding the alarm: the desynchronisation of our rhythms is costing us too dearly. Our bodies operate on three clocks: biological, solar and social. Changing the clocks instantly disrupts our social rhythm, whilst the hormonal system needs time to adapt.

Hormonal disruption: Melatonin (the sleep hormone) and cortisol (the stress hormone) bear the brunt of the impact.

Surge in crises: In the first few days after the change, there is traditionally a surge in heart attacks, strokes and road traffic accidents.

Drop in efficiency: Research from the University of Oregon shows that after the spring clock change, people’s productivity drops sharply and takes several weeks to recover.

This jet lag is particularly difficult for Ukrainians right now, when the nervous system is already exhausted by chronic stress and sleepless nights.

How to prepare your body for the switch to summer time

To minimise the impact on your body, experts recommend:

▪️ Try to go to bed 15–30 minutes earlier than usual.

▪️ Use bright lights in the morning to help your brain wake up and block melatonin production.

▪️ Spend more time outdoors during the day — natural light will help reset your internal clock more quickly.

Reminder! Easter celebrations in Ukraine in 2026 will take place under martial law and heightened security measures. Believers have been advised on how to attend church services where online formats are permitted, and what restrictions will apply due to the curfew. Find out how to celebrate safely without breaking the rules.

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