The Republic of Moldova switches to winter time. On the night of October 27, the clocks will be turned back one hour so that 04:00 a.m. will become 03:00 a.m., IPN reports.

The transition to winter time takes place in accordance with the proposal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and concurrently with the member states of the European Union.

According to the Government’s spokesman, the reduction of energy consumption is one of the main advantages of switching to winter time. "The adjustment of time can contribute to electricity savings as the need for artificial lighting in the morning hours will be reduced. Also, having more light in the morning makes people feel more energetic and productive, which can improve efficiency both at work and in daily activities," Daniel Vodă told a press conference.

Increased security is another positive consequence. More natural light in the early hours of the day can improve road and pedestrian safety, reducing the risk of accidents. In addition, synchronization with other countries is essential. The adoption of winter time can facilitate international communication and trade by ensuring better harmonization of programs between countries that follow the same practice.

At the same time, the transition to winter time can cause fatigue and can trigger decreased alertness, increased stress levels, sleep disorders, disruption of the daily routine, the onset of autumn asthenia. The symptoms can be different from one person to another, and among the most common are: difficulty waking up in the morning, malaise, asthenia and general nervousness. Children are among the most sensitive to the time change as their bedtime and wake-up routine is disrupted. Older people are also more rigid when it comes to the transition to winter time. In the case of people with cardiovascular diseases, the body secretes excessive stress hormones, which can increase blood pressure and favor the occurrence of strokes.

To avoid the negative consequences caused by the time change, specialists recommend that the people should go to bed and wake up at the same time in order to keep the biological clock in sync. It is also important to follow a routine before going to sleep and it is forbidden to consume coffee or eat chocolate at least six hours before bedtime.

In the Republic of Moldova, the time change takes place twice a year. On the last Sunday in March, the country switches to summer time.