PROFESSOR AT BISHOP GROSSETESTE UNIVERSITY (BGU) CO-AUTHORED THE BRITISH SLEEP SOCIETY’S CASE FOR PERMANENT STANDARD TIME

On Wednesday 23rd October, the British Sleep Society (BSS) published a position statement advocating for the restoration of permanent Standard Time, equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), in the UK.

The recommendation would see the abolishment of the twice-yearly clock changes in the UK, which first began in 1972.

Through the assessment of scientific evidence, the BSS found that circadian and sleep health, and productivity are negatively affected by the enforced changes of clock times, administered by Daylight Saving Time (DST).

The priority of the BSS is to understand, research, and support projects related to sleep and its related disorders.

As a Trustee of the BSS, Professor of Sleep and Cognition at Bishop Grosseteste University, Caroline Horton, reviewed and edited the statement in collaboration with researchers from a variety of universities across the UK.

Caroline explains the potential effects of the current clock changes: “Evidence demonstrates how serious the effects can be: From increasing our susceptibility to catching minor illnesses, to increasing the likelihood of facing more serious cardiovascular events in the day following the changes, to being unsafe while driving due to a lack of sleep.”

Restoring permanent Standard Time would result in earlier sunsets in the summer and increased morning sunlight exposure from autumn to spring.

Caroline continues: “Like many people, I used to dread the autumn clock changes due to the days seeming shorter, however, this is not the case. Our days are the same length, but the timing of our sleep schedule in relation to sunrise differs.

“It is crucially important for our health that we strive for consistency with our sleep schedule and receive a strong dose of sunlight early in the day.

“Moving to permanent Standard Time is not as negative as you might think – get that dose of early sunlight and enjoy it!”

The call is made in a position statement published in the Journal of Sleep Research (JSR; The DOI 10.1111/jsr.14352). It is co-authored by researchers at the Universities of Strathclyde, Surrey, Edinburgh, Warwick, Lincoln, Imperial College London, Bishop Grosseteste University, King’s College London, and Northumbria University.

The BSS’s recommendation for permanent Standard Time is supported by several organisations and networks, including The Irish Sleep Society, British Paediatric Sleep Society, Capella (Sleep Action), The Sleep Charity, The British Society of Pharmacy Sleep Services and Circadian Mental Health Network.