Research based on data from 21,000 global users of the Sleep Cycle application reveals that snoozing is very common. Over 50% of monitored individuals typically hit the snooze button two to three times each morning before fully waking up.

For a long time, the medical community has warned that snoozing interrupts rapid eye movement (rem) sleep, a phase that helps the brain process emotions and recover. According to older theories, intermittent alarms lead to shallow, fragmented sleep, causing individuals to wake up feeling more tired.

Over 50% often turn off their alarm two to three times each morning.

However, new research offers a different perspective. Dr. Cathy Goldstein, a neurologist at the University of Michigan, United States, argues that there is no solid evidence confirming that losing a few minutes of rem sleep in the morning severely harms brain performance. Conversely, staying in bed for a few extra minutes might help the body transition more gently from sleep to wakefulness, avoiding the 'shock' of waking up immediately.

Nevertheless, experts emphasize that the biggest danger lies not in a few extra minutes of sleep, but in consistency. If you hit snooze because you stayed up too late, it signals chronic sleep deprivation.

Shelby Harris, an associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, likens the snooze button to a 'crutch' for those with poor sleep quality. "Many individuals suffering from sleep apnea or abusing sedatives often rely on snoozing to compensate for energy deficits," Harris stated.

In such cases, the habit of hitting the snooze button is not the cause, but a symptom warning of medical conditions that require treatment. For optimal brain health, experts advise setting your alarm for the actual wake-up time and striving to maintain a habit of getting enough sleep each night.

Bao Nhien (According to CNA, Sleep Cycle)