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Why Multiple Alarms Are Harmful and How to Break the Snooze Habit
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Health & Science

Why Multiple Alarms Are Harmful and How to Break the Snooze Habit

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Experts warn that repeatedly hitting the snooze button on alarms disrupts crucial sleep cycles and increases stress.
  • This habit, known as "snooze-induced sleep inertia," can lead to daytime fatigue, mood swings, and reduced productivity.
  • To break the habit, experts recommend maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and placing alarms out of reach.

For many, the allure of 'just five more minutes' is irresistible, leading to the common practice of setting multiple alarms. However, wellness experts are sounding the alarm on this habit, warning that hitting snooze repeatedly is more detrimental than most people realize.

This behavior, often termed "snooze-induced sleep inertia," significantly disrupts the body's natural sleep cycles, particularly the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage. According to wellness expert Jordan Brus, each time an alarm sounds, the body is jolted into a "fight or flight" state, creating unnecessary stress each morning.

The consequences extend beyond morning grogginess. Experts explain that fragmented sleep negatively impacts daily productivity, memory, and learning capabilities. It can also contribute to increased fatigue, mood disturbances, and elevated cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone.

Breaking this cycle requires conscious effort. Brus suggests establishing a regular circadian rhythm by going to bed and waking up around the same time daily, even on weekends. This consistency helps regulate the body's natural sleep-wake patterns. Additionally, a practical tip is to place your alarm clock or phone across the room. This forces you to physically get out of bed to turn it off, making it harder to fall back asleep and encouraging a more immediate wake-up.

While adjusting to waking up with a single alarm might be challenging initially, the long-term benefits include improved sleep quality and more energized mornings. Experts emphasize that the body and brain are adaptable, and with consistent effort, breaking the snooze habit is achievable.

To zapravo izaziva inerciju sna, pojaฤanu pospanost, umor, promene raspoloลพenja, a poveฤ‡ava i nivo kortizola.

โ€” Jordan BrusDetailing the effects of sleep inertia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.