Many people choose a sharp, annoying sounds and ringtones as the alarm in the hope that they will help them to Wake up and cheer up. However, scientists from Royal Melbourne University of technology believe that such “shock therapy” — not the best approach.
In the new work, the experts decided to find out what sounds most effectively help people to get rid of the so-called sleep inertia (sleep inertia).
This term refers to the impairment in cognitive and sensorimotor functions that occur immediately after awakening. It is the transitional state between sleep and wakefulness, when the person experiences a feeling of drowsiness, disorientation and reduced motor skills.
According to the researchers, the sleep inertia can last for up to four hours. And for most people this is a big problem, because it is more difficult to concentrate behind the wheel, to join in the work, to make an informed decision. And doctors, pilots, rescuers and other experts, the reaction of which depend the lives of people who may face and even fatal consequences of sleep inertia.
“Even NASA astronauts have reported that the inertia of sleep affects their work on the International space station,” said co-author Adrian Dyer (Adrian Dyer).
To find out which sounds help avoid this condition, the researchers conducted an online survey among 50 adult men and women.
Every Respondent reported some sound or signal used for Wake up. In addition, for four hours after ascent of the volunteers described their condition in particular said how much they were energetic or “broken”. Giving the evaluation, the participants focused on the scientists proposed standardized criteria of inertia of the dream.
the results showed that the melodic sounds are best suited to minimize morning drowsiness, but the sharp sounds, in contrast, is associated with a decrease in activity after the awakening.
“We believe that the sharp tone like “beep-beep-beep” may disturb or confuse our brain activity upon awakening, while the more melodic sound helps to move to a state of wakefulness in a more effective way,” says Dyer, citing the example of the song “Good Vibrations” group, the Beach Boys and “Close to Me” by the Cure.
In the future, the team intends to find out what specific melodies and rhythms help people to get rid of sleep inertia is best.
Scientific article on the results of this work are presented in the journal PLOS ONE.
by the Way, earlier “Conduct.Science” reported that the entry of the mother’s voice wakes the child better fire alarm system.
Text: To.Science
