Is Setting Multiple Alarms Bad for 90 Minute Sleep Cycle?

What is 90 minute sleep cycle?

A sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes, and during that time we move through five stages of sleep. The first four stages make up our non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and the fifth stage is when rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs.

Is it better to sleep in 90 minute cycles?

Normally, you don’t enter REM sleep until you’ve slept for about 90 minutes. Sleep stages are important because they allow the brain and body to recover and develop.

According to SleepFoundation, sleepers who wake up frequently in the early stages, such as those with sleep apnea, may have trouble properly cycling into these deeper sleep stages. People with insomnia may not get enough total sleep to accumulate the time required for each stage.

There are two kinds of people: those who set multiple alarms to wake them up and others who hit the snooze button numerous times. Both of these people are not morning people.

When you switch off the first alarm or hit the snooze button, you hope to get 5-10 minutes of extra restful sleep. After all, your body needs more rest.

Is Setting Multiple Alarms Bad for 90 Minute Sleep Cycle?-Mintal

What are the effects of setting multiple alarms?

Each time you fall asleep, your body naturally initiates the stages of sleep. But, it requires time to move through the stages. So, when the second alarm goes off, you’re pulled back from a deep sleep.

1. Each time you’ll be getting less restful slumber.

2. You’ll feel more tired by the time you finally wake up.

3. You’ll feel moody during the day.

4. You’ll have difficulties focusing during the day

Is Setting Multiple Alarms Bad for 90 Minute Sleep Cycle?-Mintal

Then the question to ask is, are those extra alarms harmful?

Effect on 90 Minute sleep cycles

Research shows extra alarms don’t do you any good. By the time the first alarm goes off, you have already slept through the 5 stages and cycles of sleep. But it’s not as simple as that. How you sleep and how you wake up determines your day.

Effect on sleeping quality

The impact of multiple alarms can have far-reaching effects. Technically, you reverse the sleep process when you fall asleep between the alarms.

Imagine trying to go through the sleep phases in 5 – 10 minutes. It just doesn’t work.

Conclusion

The bottom line, sleeping between alarms confuses the brain. The brain has already achieved that, and you’re telling it to start again. Therefore, how many alarms do you need? Just one.

Do you want to know if you are getting a good night’s sleep? Try Mintal Tracker App to assess your sleep quality.

 

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