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The fact that getting up in the morning can be extremely hard. The moment the alarm goes off can be very lazy and, one of the most common actions to delay the start of the day, is to postpone the alarm. Although it can give us a few sweet extra minutes of rest and seem like a harmless act, it could actually cause significant damage to our body. In fact, neuroscience is beginning to report on this very issue and knowing what researchers are warning about may make you think twice about doing it next time
The consequences of hitting the snooze button
Hitting the snooze button is a common habit. You or someone close to you probably does it without really knowing the consequences of this simple action every morning
One of the worst things it causes is the interruption of the sleep cycle. Disrupting this can cause problems in our natural sleep cycle. It is best to wake up with the first alarm and not go back to sleep. Also, snoozing the alarm causes you to feel a much greater sense of drowsiness. The brain, when going back to sleep after turning off the first alarm, enters a light sleep phase. This is also known as sleep inertia when, upon waking up definitively, you still have the feeling of being disoriented
In addition, sleep has less restorative properties. The sleep you get after hitting the snooze button is not deep, which means it has no benefit. It can also make you feel even more fatigued during the day and find yourself tired more easily.
Alternatives to hitting the snooze button
Although it may seem that pressing the snooze button is the only way to scratch a few minutes or start the day, there are alternatives that can help us wake up in a healthier way.
Normally, when we hit the snooze button, it means we are tired and need more sleep. To solve this problem, we can, for example, increase exposure to sunlight. This way, the human circadian rhythm is better regulated. In addition, establishing a regular sleep schedule tells our body when to sleep and when to wake up
Avoiding artificial light before going to bed is also beneficial so that we can get a better and more effective sleep. Gradual alarms are optimal and less traumatic than conventional ones. All these recommendations, linked to quality and quantity rest, are important in order not to have sleep problems in our daily routine