The time change is already here. This early morning from Saturday to Sunday, Spain moves the clock forward one hour to enter daylight saving time. At 2:00 it will become 3:00.
It's a small gesture -just 60 minutes- but with real consequences for the body, especially in the youngest members of the household. Because although adults usually adapt in a few days, children do not do so at the same pace.
Why children notice it more than adults
Experts agree on something key: the time change alters the circadian rhythm, that is, the biological clock that regulates sleep, appetite, and mood.
In the case of children, this adjustment is not immediate. According to sleep specialists, the body can take between three and four days to adapt, but in the youngest, that process can be prolonged further.
In fact, some experts compare this change to a “jet lag,” similar to what occurs after a flight with a time zone change. And that imbalance can last up to ten days.
Irritability, altered sleep and fatigue: the most common effects
The symptoms are not serious, but they are very recognizable for any father or mother. During the first days after the time change, it is common for children to have more difficulty falling asleep, wake up earlier or during the night, be more tired or present mood changes.
There is an important detail: in children, lack of sleep does not always translate into drowsiness, but into irritability, restlessness, or reduced attention span.
Furthermore, sleep plays a key role in physical and emotional development, so any alteration, even if temporary, is noticeable.
A problem that already exists before the change
The time change does not start from scratch. According to data from the Spanish Society of Neurology, only a minority of children sleep the recommended hours.
This means that many arrive at this adjustment with a prior sleep deficit, which amplifies the impact of the new routine. In other words: it's not just the hour that changes, it's the balance that was already at its limit.
What the experts recommend to adapt better
The key is not in big measures, but in constancy. Specialists insist on maintaining regular schedules in the days after the change, especially in bedtime, meals, and daily activities. That stability helps the body readjust faster.
It is also important to understand that the process takes its time. It is not immediate, nor does it have to be perfect from day one.
A small change that every year reopens the debate
Beyond the impact on sleep, the time change continues to generate debate in Spain and in Europe. Each year its real utility is questioned, especially in terms of energy saving and health.
But while that debate remains open, what is certain is that tonight it's time to move the clock forward.