Get ready to turn back your clocks tonight, as Daylight Saving Time (DST) will end in Greece during the wee hours of Sunday. At 4:00 a.m., clocks will be set back one hour to 3:00 a.m., marking the official switch from summer to standard time in compliance with European Union regulations.
The main aim of using daylight saving time, which lasts seven months across Europe, is to maximize daylight and conserve energy.
Greece first experimented with DST in 1932, but it wasn’t until the 1970s, after the 1973 energy crisis, that the measure was widely adopted across Europe. Today, the EU follows a uniform schedule for DST, turning clocks forward in spring and back in autumn. This shift allows for an extra hour of evening daylight in warmer months and ensures better alignment with natural daylight cycles during winter.
However, the biannual time changes have sparked debate, particularly among sleep experts, with organizations like the British Sleep Society calling for an end to DST. Research shows that changing the clocks disrupts circadian rhythms, impacting sleep and overall health. Sleep scientists argue that returning to a standard, year-round time would better support the body’s natural clock, which relies heavily on consistent morning light for optimal alignment.
