If you’re still thinking that “surprising” your body with a wake-up alarm is an effective way to start the day, think again. Shocking wake-up alarms can be bad for your heart and blood pressure.
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1. What is the ideal wake-up alarm sound?
It is no exaggeration to wake up without an alarm to wake up, which is a hallmark of quality sleep. That’s ideal. But in reality, there are many people who find it difficult to leave the comfort of their mattress without a wake-up alarm. In addition, it is better to wake up with a soft alarm than an aggressive sound.
Ideally, the wake-up alarm shouldn’t come as a surprise. A soft sound that slowly “leads” the body to wake up from a deep sleep will make the body less stressed. Moreover, the aggressive sound is also not good for heart rate and blood pressure.
What is the ideal wake-up alarm sound?
If you’re still thinking that “surprising” your body with a wake-up alarm is an effective way to start the day, think again. When the body hears sounds that are too loud and aggressive, the sympathetic nervous system is activated.
When the sympathetic nervous system is active, the “fight” or “flight” will take over the body’s mechanisms. The body will be in a state of stress or stress. That is, choosing a startling wake-up alarm will only make the body start the day in a state of physiological stress.
Not to mention if someone is still struggling with how to overcome insomnia. Sleeping all night is not necessarily quality, coupled with stress triggers in the form of a wake-up alarm that is too loud.
A study from the National Institute of Industrial Health in Japan found that the loud sound of a wake-up alarm is not good for the heart. Blood pressure and heart rate can rise suddenly so that stress levels increase.
Then, what is the ideal wake-up alarm sound?
1. Try an experiment
Of course, everyone has different tastes in music and sound preferences, including when it comes to waking up alarms. Some people don’t like the sound of waves or birds chirping, while others like the sound because it reminds them of pleasant memories from the past.
Since everyone has different tastes, try experimenting with your preferred soft wake-up alarm. Not only the tone, but also how the wake-up alarm slowly becomes louder or intense. Choose whichever is most natural for you.
2. Imitate the body’s natural mechanisms
The ideal wake-up alarm is one that mimics the body’s natural mechanisms of wakefulness. That is, there is a transitional phase from deep sleep to slowly waking up. That’s why it’s important to choose a wake-up alarm with a soft and relaxing voice rather than one that’s too aggressive.
3. Adjust to body condition
You don’t have to have only one type of alarm, you can choose several wake-up alarms. Adjust the choice with many factors, such as weekend or not, physical condition before going to bed, there is an exercise plan in the morning, to the weather outside.
4. Change your nighttime routine
If various wake-up alarms are still making it difficult for you to wake up, it’s a good idea to see what’s wrong with your nighttime routine. Are you sleeping too late? Eating too close to bedtime? Need a new routine like a short meditation at night?
Who knows, changing your nighttime routine could significantly change the quality of your sleep. Of course, when the quality of sleep is adequate, there will be a long-term positive impact for both the soul and body.
Professors from the Department of Neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center Washington DC also agree that the ideal wake-up alarm is one that helps the body wake up naturally.
Some choices of sounds and music that can be a good alternative to wake-up alarms are:
1. The sound of the waves
2. Birds chirping
3. The sound of the river
4. Soft instruments such as violin, piano, flute
5. Soft jazz
6. Raindrops
7. Your favorite song
8. Feeling Good – Michael Bubble
9. If I Could Turn Back Time – Cher
10. Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson
11. How Do’ Ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning – Dean Martin
12. Get Up Offa That Thing – James Brown
13. Lovely Day – Bill Withers
14. Sunrise – Norah Jones
15. No Sleep Till Brooklyn – Beastie Boys
16. Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
17. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!
18. Wake Up Jeff – The Wiggles
19. Easy – The Commodores
Of course, in addition to some of the music and sound lists above, you are free to adjust your preferences according to taste. It’s also important to remember that it’s not the wake-up alarm that completely determines how you wake up in the morning, but something more important: maintaining quality sleep.
If since the night the routine before bed is good, sleep will be of good quality. Quality sleep with a duration of 6-8 hours is certainly more than enough to prevent you from pressing the snooze button when the wake-up alarm rings.