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Chapter 1: What greater purpose does the alarm clock serve beyond waking us up?
What's the best alarm to wake up to? Thanks for asking. Did you know that the alarm clock actually serves a greater purpose than simply rousing us from sleep? Whether it's the buzz of your smartphone, a breaking news update or a soothing classical tune, your alarm sets the tone for the day ahead.
And it can be quite the dilemma choosing between a jolting alarm which is guaranteed to wake you up, or nature sounds that might end up lulling you back to sleep, or worse, not wake you up at all. Sydney Ayton is an American neuroscientist who specializes in circadian rhythms and sleep.
Talking to HuffPost.com for an article on alarm sounds which was published in 2023, she pointed out that waking up abruptly can be quite jarring for the body. It triggers a real surge of adrenaline, a hormone which is typically released in response to intense emotions or sensations. Basically, waking up to a loud or piercing sound can spike our heart rate and induce stress.
What about using more neutral sounds then?
Chapter 2: How do different alarm sounds affect our waking experience?
In reality, most of us wake up to fairly neutral sounds, like radar, which is Apple's default alarm, or Samsung's morning flower. But such sounds can contribute to what's known as sleep inertia, a lingering grogginess or foggy feeling that can persist for minutes or even hours.
Back in 2020, a study by researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology found that more melodious sounds, such as birdsong, can facilitate a gentler wake-up. But there's still a risk of growing tired or irritated by these sounds if they become too routine.
What about hitting the snooze button?
Chapter 3: What are the consequences of using the snooze button?
Is that a good way to snag a few extra minutes of sleep?
Actually, that's a common misconception that we've talked about in the past on Do You Really Know? In reality, snoozing tends to increase grogginess and confusion. The problem lies in how it interrupts our sleep cycle, only to plunge us back into it, making it even harder to then get up and exacerbating sleep inertia.
A study published in Sleep Journal in 2022 found that 57% of people use the snooze function to delay getting up, sometimes repeatedly. Some even set their initial wake-up time based on how many times they plan to hit snooze.
What's the best way to wake up feeling refreshed then?
First and foremost, ensure you're getting enough sleep and maintaining a consistent bedtime. Ideally, this will promote a natural wake-up, which is most rejuvenating for the body. If that's not feasible, opt for waking up to music instead of a harsh and potentially stress-inducing alarm tone.
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Chapter 4: What strategies can help us wake up feeling refreshed?
Switching up the tunes regularly is a good idea which may prevent your brain from becoming too accustomed, and sticking to a set wake-up time is key. To combat sleep inertia, expose yourself to natural light. Stretch, yawn, hydrate or engage in conversation. These small habits can really help kickstart your body.
Ultimately, you want to find a morning routine that works for you, whether it involves a shower, breakfast or exercise.
Chapter 5: What should we avoid to ensure a better waking experience?
Just make sure that your alarm isn't too jarring and resist the temptation to hit that snooze button. There you have it. Now you know what the best alarm to wake up to is. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.