People feel switch to winter time differently - experts

Chisinau, 24 October /MOLDPRES/ - The 2020 switch to the winter time will take place on the night of 24 to 25 October, when the clocks will be set one hour back at 3:00 and this day will be the longest one of the year. Specialists warn that this annual event is differently felt by people and advise us to be more attentive on the concerned night.  

According to a study made by the Texas University (USA), cited by more mass media, the risk of traffic accidents increases with the switch to the winter time, both on the night of Saturday to Sunday and on the subsequent period.

"During the night of the event, the risk of traffic accidents is enhanced by about 7 per cent against the period before and in the morning, the risk is higher even by 14 per cent. At the same time, sleep disturbances can take place, as it is difficult for the organism to accommodate itself to the change and it gradually adapts to the new rhythm of life. This might lead to acute states of weariness and on this period, the senses will not be so acute,’’ according to the quoted sources.    

"Once the switch to the winter time takes place, changes start occurring even at the emotional level. The darkness which comes by one hour earlier than before makes us feel sorrow and tired and we even experience depression.  The shortening of the day and the disturbance of the biological time lead to a seasonal affective disturbance,’’ physicians say.   

At the same time, specialists also say that ‘’fortunately, this state will pass most likely after first week upon the time change; yet, it is good to be attentive to the symptoms of depression and try to combat them immediately and be aware of them, in order not to remain anchored in this state. ’’

These are the symptoms which can appear at the switch from the summer to the winter time: high appetite, lack of energy, irritability, stress.  

"Not necessarily everybody is hit by the time change. Most often, ‘’weather-sensing people, the ones with chronic diseases of the nervous or cardiovascular systems ‘’feel’’ the event, who must not deviate from the usual regime prescribed by the physician, take the medication indicated and wait for a short period of time until the biological time adapts to the one from outdoors,’’ a family physician of a health centre from Moldova, Sofronie Cicala, said.  

Moldova will switch to the winter time, made in accordance with the proposal by  United Nations Economic Commission for Europe simultaneously with the European Union member states. The switch to the winter time takes place in 70 countries, with the observance of the meantime zone difference.   

Most European countries established this system as a result of the 1973-1974 oil crisis for care to save energy. The goal of the time change was mainly to make the working hours better fit the day-time ones, in order to limit the use of the artificial light.    

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