Nobody likes their morning alarm, but a new study has shown that it actually has some very bad effects that can last for hours and turn is into sleep zombies
Folk should ditch their alarm clocks as the sudden shock of waking up is turning us into a nation of sleep zombies, say experts.
Recently, a new study revealed the tell-tale signs that give away that you are a morning person. And scientists have said sleeping in on weekends could not only help our happiness, but our health too.
As for the daily wake-up, the abrupt, grating ring or bleep from bedside alarms or smartphones “rips” us from our slumber, leaving us exhausted all day. We should instead rely on the break of dawn bringing light into our bedroom, said sleep specialist Dr Emily Thompson, or stick to a rigid routine of going to bed and naturally waking at the same time.
She said: “An alarm clock rips you out of sleep suddenly, often when your body isn’t ready.
“If you’re in deep sleep when the alarm sounds, you wake up feeling groggy, disoriented and exhausted. This is known as sleep inertia and it can last for hours.”
The report, commissioned by CJSautomation, found 73% of UK adults relied on an alarm to wake up. But more than a third – some 35% – admit hitting the snooze button at least once before rising from bed.
Nine in 10 respondents reported suffering from sleep problems.
The study said: “Abrupt awakenings play a significant role in sleep disruption. Waking up to an alarm during deep sleep can reduce alertness by 50% and impair cognitive function for several hours.”
Dr Thompson added: “The human body has an internal clock that controls the sleep-wake cycle. In nature, we wake up gradually as light enters the room – a signal to the brain that it’s time to rise.
“Alarms, however, don’t follow this process.
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on the latest news here .
“Instead, they shock the system awake, disrupting essential biological processes and making it harder to feel rested.”
Folk who must stir before the sun rises could use smart lightbulbs or lamps that gradually increased in brightness, said Dr Thompson, or install automated blinds that could be programmed to open slowly in the morning.
The psychologist also advised people to avoid screens before bed and keep their room between 16°C to 18°C.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .