As Morocco switches back to GMT this Sunday, February 23, a heated debate resurfaces—one that refuses to fade away. Since 2018, the country has stuck with daylight saving time (GMT+1) year-round, except during the holy month of Ramadan. While this decision delights those who enjoy long evenings outdoors, it takes a toll on early risers… and their health.
Switching time zones, even by just one hour, is like trying to change feet mid-sprint—it throws the entire body off balance. According to Dr. El Tayeb Hamdi, a health policy expert, the days following the switch to daylight saving time see a 25% increase in heart attacks. And this isn’t just a coincidence. American studies confirm that cases of cardiac arrhythmia spike by 22% after a time change. In other words, GMT+1 doesn’t just leave people feeling sleep-deprived—it’s enough to make cardiologists nervous.
If you struggle to wake up in the morning, you’re not alone. Permanent daylight saving time disrupts the body’s internal clock, mimicking a daily jet lag. The result? Shorter nights, lower concentration levels, increased stress, and moods that rival a gloomy Monday morning. Students and workers bear the brunt of this shift, forced to start their day in darkness, with motivation levels scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Every year, complaints flood in like clockwork: “Why are we waking up in the middle of the night?”, “What’s the point of this?”, and most commonly, “When will this torture stop?” Parents, teachers, and doctors alike are calling for a permanent return to GMT, which aligns better with the natural daylight cycle—and with the simple desire not to feel like zombies before the first cup of coffee.
Less energy consumption… but at what cost?
Supporters of GMT+1 argue that it saves energy and boosts productivity, but at what price? Between the increased risk of heart problems, chronic fatigue, and declining performance at work and school, the disadvantages seem to outweigh the benefits. In the end, is it better to save a few kilowatts or to prevent an entire generation from running on autopilot?
The debate is far from over, but one thing is certain: more and more Moroccans are tired of resetting their clocks—and even more tired of feeling exhausted.
Mohamed MOUNADI
