Time to embrace daylight saving!

To enjoy those balmy summer evenings for longer, daylight saving time was once introduced. The night from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 31 March, it's that time again: the clocks go forward one hour. Not everyone handles this change in time equally well. Accidents, grumpy colleagues and much more await you on the Monday after this weekend. That's why GENTS is offering practical advice today so you can start a new work week well, stylishly and in excellent spirits.

Long, long ago, people had no clocks to keep time and gradually take over their lives. The Romans, for example, were very flexible in their daily schedule. They simply got up at sunrise and went to sleep after sunset. Over the centuries, we have increasingly come to live by 'time'. The practice of setting the clock forward or backward by one hour is a relatively recent development. It's only since the 20th century that various countries have adopted a daylight saving time policy. What was actually the reason for introducing it back then? Why has there been so much discussion about daylight saving time within the European Union recently?

Enjoying longer thanks to daylight saving time

The idea of daylight saving time and standard time is primarily about safety and productivity. Scientific research has shown that fewer accidents occur when people drive to work in daylight and vice versa. Moreover, thanks to daylight saving time, we start an hour earlier. This means we finish an hour earlier and can enjoy those balmy summer evenings for longer. However, there is a misconception. With the introduction of daylight saving time, we are not guaranteed more sun and thus more summer. It is simply a matter of changing the time so we make the most of daylight. Since the sun is in a different position in winter, daylight saving time is not very practical then. That's why we set the clocks back to 'standard time' in winter. All in all, during the summer months we can enjoy nice weather for longer thanks to the change in clock time.

The least productive Monday

Last winter, daylight saving time, or daylight saving time, was a topic of discussion. The usefulness and possible effects of daylight saving time were indeed questioned. The European Union proposed adopting a single time and no longer switching. Setting the clocks forward in summer does have a negative effect on us as people. For example, the Monday after switching to daylight saving time is the least productive day of the year. Everyone struggles with sleep deprivation due to daylight saving time. The result? A grumpy atmosphere and an increased risk of accidents. Fortunately, there are ways to minimise this effect of daylight saving time. Besides, it's only 1 day of suffering for a whole summer of enjoyment. That's why GENTS has compiled all sorts of handy tips for you. With these, you'll soon be saying: high time for that daylight saving time!

Tip 1. The importance of light

One reason why many people struggle with the Monday after the clocks change is related to our natural rhythm. You are suddenly pulled out of your routine and forced to get up earlier. To make it a bit easier for your body, it's smart to go outside first thing in the morning. For example, take a quick walk before you get in the car or let the dog out at your leisure. As soon as your body notices it's already light, you'll wake up much happier! That's how important light is. Additionally, it's wise to avoid blue light as much as possible on Sunday evening after daylight saving time begins. So put your phone away for once and pick up a book instead. By not seeing blue light, you'll fall asleep better and more easily. Sleep that you can certainly use after such a short night the evening before!

Tip 2. Avoid the snooze button

It's very difficult, but try to avoid the snooze button after daylight saving time begins. However hard it is to get out of bed, snoozing really doesn't make it easier. It's very tempting to snooze for a long time after a weekend with little sleep. With the introduction of daylight saving time, however, snoozing is the worst thing you can do. By snoozing, you're actually resetting your biological clock. This makes you feel extra worn out and exhausted for the rest of the day. So try to just get up straight away when your alarm goes off. Daylight saving time is already a strain on your body, don't make it worse by snoozing!

Tip 3. Wear comfy clothes

One last tip we'd like to give you is, of course, about clothing. When you're not feeling your best, wearing comfortable clothes can make all the difference. Treat yourself to that pleasure! Make sure you have a comfy outfit ready for the Monday after daylight saving time begins. That way you can wear a neat sweater or stylish jumper. GENTS has a wide range of jumpers that you can wear to work without worry during daylight saving time or standard time. Does it turn out not to be very appreciated at the office? Are shirts and blazers the standard? Then a white t-shirt with your favourite blazer on jeans can be an excellent alternative. You'll arrive at the office looking casually chic, comfortable enough to get through the work day with the aftermath of daylight saving time.