{"id":3111,"date":"2021-12-15T11:32:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T06:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/blog\/?p=3111"},"modified":"2022-12-19T12:24:57","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T06:54:57","slug":"no-sound-alarms-revolutionising-the-way-you-wake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/blog\/no-sound-alarms-revolutionising-the-way-you-wake-up\/","title":{"rendered":"No Sound Alarms: Revolutionising the Way You Wake Up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you ever set your alarm to a really awful tone just so it\u2019ll wake you up in the morning? Or maybe you set multiple alarms to ensure your body gets the message? Prolonged exposure to loud alarms initiates several physiological responses in the body that can impair our health over time. The days of the jarring cuckoo-clocks and clunky ringtones are over. Let\u2019s examine the benefits of waking up without a traditional alarm clock. Some silent alarm clocks or no-sound alarms radiate light or vibrations without the accompaniment of harsh tones for awakening. They are known to wake you up naturally at a slower pace by mimicking the sunrise effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Downsides of waking up with a noisy alarm clock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s why you should opt for no-sound alarms over shrill alarm clocks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alarm clocks trigger the stress response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studies have correlated the ringing of the alarm with stress. When an alarm rings, it triggers the \u2018fight-or-flight\u2019 response. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands release epinephrine, or adrenaline, which converts glycogen into glucose, elevating blood sugar levels. If the stress persists, the body also releases cortisol, the stress hormone (after the epinephrine surge subsides). This further increases blood sugar levels to provide immediate energy for fighting or fleeing the situation. Chronic stress, or repeated instances of the fight-or-flight response, translate into detrimental effects on our health that include an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and metabolic dysfunctions. It can also lead to changes in the brain that may contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Depression impacts blood sugar level<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When awoken by an alarm, participants of a study exhibited an elevated heart rate. Firefighters, policemen and paramedics are professionals in continuous contact with alarms during their routine activities. Alarms are sounded to alert personnel of a critical incident, and they are required to quickly mobilise themselves into action. A study <\/a>that measured heart rates of Canadian police officers during their shifts noted that they were elevated by 23\u201332 beats per minute in response to an incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research conducted by the National Institute of Industrial Health in Japan suggests that forced-awakening can be detrimental to the heart, leading to high blood pressure and heart rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blaring clock sounds contradict our circadian rhythm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain oversees our circadian rhythm (CR), which is essentially our biological clock, i.e., several natural internal processes that follow a 24-hour cycle. They respond to changes in the environment, primarily light and darkness, and regulate important functions such as hormone release and metabolic processes. (9) CRs control our sleep cycle, promoting alertness in the day and sleep at night. According to sleep specialist Whitney Roban, one can sleep well when their circadian rhythm is appropriate, aligned and consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alarm clocks can disrupt our circadian rhythm by shocking our brains into a wakeful state and triggering the fight-or-flight response. Research (conducted on mice) shows that circadian rhythm disruption is correlated with weight gain and altered metabolic hormone levels.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \"Why <\/div>\n
\n Why waking up at 3 AM could be your metabolism \u2013 and how to change it<\/span>\n

Updated: If you find yourself waking at 3AM regularly, it could be your metabolism. Here’s what to watch…<\/p>\n