The "snooze" function, a time-honoured method for catching a few more winks without the fear of oversleeping, has come under scrutiny due to potential adverse health effects.
Swedish researchers have countered this criticism with findings that suggest this morning habit has no substantial impact on mood or sleep and may even enhance cognitive abilities upon awakening.
When it comes to sleep, our preferences and waking routines vary widely. Some are early risers, while others can barely stir until they risk being late for school or work. The "snooze" function is not without potential health consequences, primarily because it can plunge individuals back into deep sleep, sending confusing signals to the brain. Several previous studies have hinted at these concerns.
Now, two recent studies challenge the prevailing notions on this subject. Researchers from Stockholm University's Department of Psychology undertook a comprehensive examination of the "snooze" function's effects on sleep, alertness, mood, stress, and cognitive performance. Their research consisted of two separate studies. The first collected data from 1,732 individuals about their morning habits, including how frequently they utilized the "snooze" feature to grab a few extra minutes of rest.
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The second study involved about thirty individuals who were accustomed to "snoozing" and took place over two nights in a sleep laboratory.
Participants were permitted to use the snooze alarm for 30 minutes on one morning and were then required to rise promptly the following morning. Published in the Journal of Sleep Research, this study reveals that the "snooze" function is not as detrimental to health as previously believed and may even promote alertness immediately upon awakening.
The study identified common characteristics among "snoozers," such as typically being young adults or night owls who employ this feature due to feelings of excessive morning fatigue when the alarm goes off.
Furthermore, the results indicated that although the repetition of the alarm slightly disrupted participants' sleep, the majority still enjoyed restful slumber. The function had minimal or no impact on their overall nightly sleep duration.
Additionally, the researchers did not observe any "clear effects" on mood, sleepiness, or cortisol levels (a stress hormone) in saliva due to the "snooze" function.
This research also suggests that hitting the "snooze" button may enhance specific cognitive abilities, particularly upon awakening. According to the researchers, they observed positive effects, such as a reduced likelihood of awakening from deep sleep. Participants who used the "snooze" function also exhibited increased mental agility upon getting out of bed.
