No solid evidence daylight saving time affects mental health, researchers find

International research says there’s little evidence for many of the negative claims around daylight savings time shifts. Photograph: George Chan/AAP

When the clocks “spring forward” this weekend, there may be more heart attacks and more fatal traffic accidents, but fewer crimes that involve physical harm.

Daylight saving time (DST) has been blamed for many ills, from faded curtains to confused dogs, but a major international study has found more evidence is needed for many of the claims around the time shift.