It’s 6 am and you are startled awake out of a deep sleep by a horrific beeping noise. You groggily open your eyes and try to find the source of that annoying noise. Then your brain catches up and you realize it is your alarm clock.
Vast majorities of people use alarm clocks almost daily. They are hard to live without, as they ensure that we wake up early for work, school or other functions. But are alarm clocks really helpful?
The answer is YES! Natural light is better to wake up to than an alarm clock.
According to research by the National Institute of Industrial Health in Japan, although using an alarm clock maybe the most popular choice, waking up to a jolting noise can be bad for your heart. Waking up abruptly can cause higher blood pressure and heart rate. Besides increasing your blood pressure, an alarm can also increase stress levels by getting your adrenaline rushing.
There is another option for waking up to the shrilling of an alarm clock: letting your body wake naturally to light.
Here are a few simple tips to try:
- Crack your blinds/curtains so natural light can enter your room.
- Position your bed so the sun strikes it at an appropriate time of day.
- Try to wake up at the same time every day, including weekends, so your body can become accustomed to a new sleep schedule.
- If you need to wake up before the sun rises, try using a timer for your bedroom lights.