New Study Shows Snoozing in the Morning May Have Unexpected Benefits
Researchers at Stockholm University have conducted a groundbreaking study on the effects of snoozing, and the results may surprise you. Tina Sundelin, a researcher at the university, set out to investigate the impact of snoozing on the rest of the day after realizing the lack of scientific studies on the topic.
Sundelin, who is an inveterate snoozer herself, had always been told that snoozing was bad for her health by colleagues and sleep experts. However, her curiosity led her to delve deeper into the subject.
In the first phase of the study, 1,700 participants were surveyed about their morning habits, sleep patterns, and snoozing frequency. Alarmingly, around 70 percent of the respondents reported that they usually snooze.
Out of the initial pool, 31 participants were selected to take part in the sleep lab experiment. On one occasion, they were instructed to get up immediately when the alarm rang, while on the other occasion, they were allowed to snooze every nine minutes for 30 minutes.
The participants then underwent various tests, including solving math problems and memorizing colors. They also reported their levels of sleepiness, optimism, and anger. The tests were repeated multiple times throughout the day.
The results, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, were unexpectedly positive for snoozers. Participants who snoozed actually performed slightly better on cognitive tests immediately after waking up from their snooze. Furthermore, the act of snoozing did not significantly affect sleepiness or mood. On average, participants lost only six minutes of sleep due to the morning snooze.
Since the publication of Sundelin’s study, two additional studies have been conducted, both affirming the same findings – snoozing does not appear to have any detrimental effects. However, Sundelin cautions that these results should not be generalized to everyone.
“In this study, we focused on individuals who already regularly snooze, and for them, it seems to be perfectly fine to continue,” says Sundelin.
For individuals struggling with sleep problems, Sundelin and other experts offer the following tips:
1. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
2. Relax before bedtime by dimming lights and avoiding screens at least one hour prior to sleep.
3. Eat a balanced meal before bed to avoid going to bed hungry or too full.
4. Incorporate regular physical activity throughout the day to avoid prolonged periods of sedentary behavior.
5. Spend time outside in natural daylight to regulate circadian rhythm and melatonin production.
While snoozing may not be harmful for regular snoozers, these tips can help improve overall sleep quality for those experiencing sleep difficulties.
Source: 1177