Snoozing Isn’t Losing: The Benefits of Hitting the Snooze Button
For those who regularly hit the snooze button, here’s some good news: you may actually be mentally sharper when you finally get up. A study of over 1,700 people found that the most common reason for snoozing is that they are too tired to wake up. However, scientists have found evidence that a snooze actually fights off something called ‘sleep inertia’ – the struggle to get going mentally in the morning.
In a study involving 31 habitual snoozers, researchers found that those who were allowed to snooze performed better in three out of four tests compared to when they had to get up with their first alarm. These tests included memory tasks, simple math sums, and a confusing mental task. The study also showed that snoozing made people less likely to have to get up following a deep sleep, which could reduce brain fog.
Surprisingly, despite the interruptions from the alarm, the snoozers actually got around 23 minutes of uninterrupted sleep during the snooze period. However, it’s important to note that this study is small and the benefits may only be seen in people who regularly hit the snooze button. These individuals tend to be younger people and night owls, who may go to bed later and benefit from the extra sleep in the morning.
Dr. Tina Sundelin, who led the study, emphasized that there is no reason to stop snoozing if you enjoy it, especially for snooze times around 30 minutes. In fact, it may even help those with morning drowsiness to be slightly more awake once they get up.
The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, surveyed 1,732 people from various countries to gather information on their snooze habits. The results showed that over two-thirds of people set multiple alarms or hit snooze at least sometimes. Snoozers were more likely to be night owls and were on average six years younger than non-snoozers.
So if you’re a habitual snoozer, don’t feel bad about hitting that snooze button. It may actually help you wake up and be more mentally alert in the morning. Just remember to keep your snooze time around 30 minutes for optimal benefits.
Improving Your Sleep: Tips and Recommendations
- Limit screen time an hour before bed to avoid the stimulating effects of blue light.
- Take a few minutes before sleep to jot down a to-do list for the next day to clear your mind.
- Avoid consuming caffeine after 12pm to prevent it from interfering with your sleep.
- Maintain a cool bedroom temperature of around 18°C for better sleep quality.
- Limit alcohol consumption in the evenings as it disrupts deep sleep.
- Consider supplementing with vitamin D and ensuring sufficient intake of magnesium and zinc.
By following these recommendations, you can improve your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and mentally sharp.
Sources: Sleep Foundation
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