Snooze, why you shouldn't do it

Triiiiiiiing, get up! No, I'll stay down for another 10 minutes. Triiiiiing, now get up! Phew, 5 more minutes. Does this sound familiar to you? Snoozing is a term used to describe delaying an alarm or alarm clock. When you snooze, you set the alarm clock to go off again after a few minutes, allowing you to stay in bed for a while before getting up. It can be tempting to snooze, especially if you are tired or not yet ready to get up. This blog discusses the pros and cons of snoozing, as well as some tips to improve your morning routine without snoozing.

When do we snooze?

People snooze most often when they are woken up early in the morning by an alarm and are not yet fully rested. This can especially happen when people have not gotten enough sleep or have an irregular sleep schedule.
In addition, snoozing can also occur in situations where people do not have a strict schedule, such as on weekends or vacations. In these cases, snoozing can be a way to stay in bed longer and enjoy the rest.
Some people also snooze more often when they are stressed or have a busy day ahead of them. This may be because they went to bed too late at night and their sleep cycle is disrupted, or because they are worried about the day ahead.

Who snoozes most often, and how long do we snooze?

Some studies have been done on people's snoozing behavior, and there is some variation in average snooze time. In general, studies show that people snooze on average between 9 and 14 minutes before getting up. A 2015 study found that the average snooze time for young adults (ages 18-25) was about 10 minutes, while older adults (ages 55-65) snooze for about 13 minutes on average.

The (pros and) cons of snoozing

While snoozing your alarm clock may seem appealing, there are actually no real benefits to it. It may temporarily provide a sense of comfort and allow you to stay in bed a little longer, but it can also have some negative effects on your sleep and overall health. Interrupting your sleep cycle: By snoozing, you interrupt your sleep cycle, potentially making you feel even sleepier and more tired.
1. Poor sleep quality: When you snooze, you often don't get a full sleep cycle, which can lead to poorer sleep quality and lack of rest.
2. Waste of time: By snoozing, you actually lose time that could be spent on other things, such as a healthy breakfast or a leisurely morning routine.
3. Stress and rush: Snoozing can lead to stress and rush in the morning because you end up rushing to be on time anyway.
4. Habituation: If you snooze regularly, your body may get used to it and it may become harder to wake up in the morning without a snooze button.

How do I get rid of snoozing?

1. Set a fixed time to get up: Try setting a fixed time to get up every day, even on weekends. It helps you set your biological clock and train your body to wake up at a set time.
2. Place your alarm clock out of reach: Put your alarm clock in a place where you have to get out of bed to turn it off. This makes you have to get up to turn off the alarm, making you less likely to fall back into bed.
3. Use a light alarm clock: Light alarm clocks simulate a sunrise and can help you wake up naturally, making you less likely to snooze.

Do you suffer from snoozing or think you're dealing with a sleep problem? Then be sure to read our blog sleep problems - what is it and how do I get rid of it?