Morocco's Return to Greenwich Mean Time
Morocco is set to officially revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on September 20, 2026, at 2 AM, moving clocks back by one hour. This decision was announced by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, and it applies the decree number 2.26.530 dated June 25, 2026, which nullifies the 2018 decree that maintained GMT+1 year-round, except during Ramadan. After eight years of operating on GMT+1, there are significant considerations regarding the implications of this transition on the physical and mental health of Moroccans, and how individuals can effectively prepare for it.
Understanding the Biological Clock
Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a physician and researcher in health policies and systems, emphasizes that the adjustment to a backward shift in time is generally easier for individuals than advancing the clock. This is primarily because the human body operates on an internal biological clock that governs essential functions such as sleep, wakefulness, hormonal secretion, body temperature, appetite, concentration, and mood. According to Dr. Hamdi, the natural biological cycle of humans lasts approximately 24 hours and 11 minutes, necessitating daily synchronization with natural light, particularly that of the morning. He explains that moving the clock forward can often result in the loss of potential sleep and waking at a time deemed premature by the body's internal clock. Conversely, falling back an hour theoretically offers an extra hour of slumber.
A meta-analysis conducted in 2024, which examined 12 studies across 10 countries, found a relative increase of about 4% in the risk of heart attacks following the transition to daylight saving time, compared to approximately 2% when reverting to standard time. However, Dr. Hamdi clarifies that this does not imply that changing the clock directly causes heart attacks in individuals; rather, it indicates that minor effects can emerge on a population level, particularly among the most vulnerable groups.
The adaptation process is expected to be relatively straightforward even after eight years of GMT+1, as Morocco has previously reverted to GMT during Ramadan. The main distinction lies in the fact that this change represents a permanent return to GMT as the legal time, aligning three critical clocks: legal time, social time related to work and schooling, and solar time dictated by daylight. During this transition, some individuals may experience advanced sleepiness, awakening earlier than usual, or temporary changes in appetite. Others might face fatigue, decreased alertness, slowed reaction times, irritability, or mood swings, especially if they are sleep-deprived. The adjustment period might range from one to two days for some individuals, while others may take several days, with sleep disturbances typically lasting between five and seven days.
Dr. Hamdi suggests that those who are particularly sensitive to such changes should gradually alter their sleep and meal schedules by 15 to 20 minutes each day during the two to three days leading up to the time change. Subsequently, they should maintain regular sleep schedules, expose themselves to morning light, limit screen time in the evening, and ensure adequate rest.
Hicham Laafou, a clinical psychologist and president of the Moroccan League of Mental Health Specialists, adds that this time change could have a temporary impact on psychological well-being. Some individuals might experience daytime fatigue, mild headaches, temporary declines in concentration and reaction time, as well as minor mood fluctuations, increased stress, or irritability, particularly those already suffering from sleep deprivation or psychological pressure. The adaptation period usually lasts between three days and a week, although it can extend to two weeks for individuals with sensitive biological rhythms or irregular sleep patterns. Laafou notes that temporary symptoms are a normal physiological response, while severe or persistent symptoms warrant professional evaluation.
Special attention is needed for children, adolescents, the elderly, and those with psychological or sleep disorders. Laafou warns that fluctuations in sleep schedules can exacerbate symptoms in individuals suffering from insomnia, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, especially in cases of sleep deprivation or discontinuation of treatment. He recommends maintaining a stable routine, avoiding stimulants and heavy meals in the evening, refraining from long naps, and adhering to prescribed treatments without altering dosages or schedules without medical advice. He concludes that if insomnia or mood deterioration persists beyond two weeks, or if the individual experiences intense anxiety attacks, significant behavioral changes, or self-harm thoughts, urgent psychological or medical assistance is essential.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
