Latest news with #cognitivefunction
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
When you snooze, you might lose hours of sleep each month. Here's how to stop
The snooze button has been a common feature of alarm clocks for decades. (PeopleImages/iStockphoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) When jolted awake by the blare of an alarm clock, it's tempting to reach for the snooze button to catch a bit more shut-eye. In my case, 'just five more minutes' is practically a morning mantra. And what's the harm? There's increasing debate about your snoozing habit, and whether or not it's silently sabotaging your morning. On the 'stop snoozing' side of the research, sleep scientist Dr. Rebecca Robbins suggests the snooze alarm may actually cost us sleep. 'That first alarm may interrupt vital stages of sleep, and anything that you might be able to get after hitting the snooze alarm is probably going to be low quality and fragmented sleep,' said Robbins, an associate scientist for the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The average snoozer takes an extra 11 minutes after their first alarm, according to a new study coauthored by Robbins that used data from the sleep-tracking app SleepCycle. That adds up to about one night's worth of sleep per month spent snoozing. As we sleep, the brain cycles through different stages of neurological activity and the second half of the night is dominated by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when most of our dreaming is thought to take place. It's an important sleep stage for our cognitive function and memory consolidation, said Robbins, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. 'When you press the snooze button, especially for just a few minutes at a time, you're not likely to return to that REM stage,' Robbins said. But for a different take, there are sleep experts like Dr. Justin Fiala, a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. There isn't consensus on whether this lighter sleep achieved during a snooze session always does more harm than good, said Fiala, who is also an assistant professor at Northwestern Medicine. On one hand, losing out on quality sleep instead of just waking up later may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and lower one's mood. 'Certainly, if you're feeling worse off (and) more tired from the snooze alarm, I would recommend going back to waking up cold turkey without it,' said Fiala, who also runs the CommunityHealth Chicago sleep clinic. On the other hand, those with a certain chronotype — a natural disposition determined by factors such as age and genetics — may benefit from the habit, Fiala said, referencing a 2023 study which found night owls tend to rely on their snooze button more. 'If your chronotype is nocturnal, you're a night owl, but your work schedule requires you to be up at 5 a.m., that increases the dissonance between what your body is naturally inclined to do,' Fiala said. For these night owls, the brief period of light sleep induced by the snooze button may actually help them transition from deeper stages of sleep interrupted by the first alarm into wakefulness, he said, adding that more research should be done to fully understand this effect and its limitations. Regardless of one's chronotype, this distinction of who gets the most out of snoozing can also help inform how to get the most out of snoozing. Consistency is key Most sleep experts emphasize adults get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for good health and emotional well-being. Sleeping enough can also reduce feelings of tiredness upon waking, but the consistency of your sleep timing is just as important as duration, said Kimberly Honn, an associate professor of psychology at Washington State University Spokane. At deep stages of sleep, electric pulses of the brain reach a highly rhythmic pattern different from our more erratic, awakened state, she explained. Trying to wake up during these stages cuts important brain maintenance processes short and can lead one to experience the foggy effects of sleep inertia, which can last for several minutes or even hours after waking up. When the body is accustomed to a regular sleep schedule, it may reduce the experience of sleep inertia upon waking, Honn said. The body can grow accustomed to moving through each sleep stage at similar times, ensuring sleep cycles are completed before waking and eventually allowing you to fall asleep faster. 'In the perfect world, we would not be relying on an alarm clock at all,' Robbins said. 'We would be able to fall asleep and wake up naturally and have energy throughout the day.' Fiala said he generally recommends varying bedtimes by no more than 30 minutes per night, even on weekends. If you have to switch schedules, he says you should change it incrementally over time. Optimizing your morning routine It's possible people who use the snooze button less simply don't have the luxury to sleep past their alarm, Robbins suggested. Inflexible work schedules could require first responders to start their shift promptly, or parents may have to rally their children out the door and toward the school bus. For this reason, Robbins recommends those trying to ditch a snoozing habit introduce more time constraints into their morning routine by setting the first alarm as late as possible. 'Ask yourself: Is there anything in that morning routine that you could maybe do without? Or maybe you could find a way to do it faster?' Robbins said. Snoozing could also mean you're losing out on time that could be used for adding wakefulness-promoting habits into your morning routine. The heaviest snoozers tracked in Robbins' study used around 22 to 27 minutes resting after the first alarm — time that could be used for stretching, journaling or cooking a nutritious breakfast, Robbins suggested. 'We talk a lot about wind down routines and bedtime rituals. I think morning rituals are also really lovely to help you get excited about your day,' Robbins said. 'It's important to find something to look forward to, whether that's a meeting in the morning, making yourself a cup of coffee, whatever helps motivate you (and) gets you out of bed.' Timing your alarm to the sunrise and allowing natural light to come through your windows in the morning can also help signal your body to wake up, Honn said. By Kameryn Griesser, CNN
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Should people keep working until later in life?
Apparently, your 70s are the new 50s, according to the International Monetary Fund, which wants to see people stay in work for longer in a bid to ease fiscal pressures. Data seems to suggest that a 70-year-old in 2022 had the same cognitive function as a 53-year-old back in 2000. It also pointed to improved physical health as a reason why fit and healthy people should be encouraged to work into their 70s. This would go some way towards addressing the ratio of working people to retirees, which has become increasingly imbalanced. It would also give workers more time to build up their pensions. The most recent edition of the HL Savings and Resilience Barometer shows only 36% of households are on track for a moderate retirement, which shows there is still much to be done to build resilient retirements. Read more: Ignoring this form could delay pension inheritance and risk 40% tax However, it's a suggestion that will polarise people. Some will be more than happy to keep working as they enjoy the challenge, routine and social interaction that comes with work. It's fair to say others have been counting down the days until they finally leave the workforce and certainly won't want to stay on. There are real challenges to be faced as well. First and foremost, we need to address the issue of healthy life expectancy. We may be living for longer but that doesn't necessarily mean we're any healthier, and this will have an impact on how long we can work. Recent government data puts healthy life expectancy in England and Wales in the early 60s. So, while some people are able and willing to keep working, there is going to be a sizeable group who aren't. Some might be able to continue to work if they changed jobs, but we need to make sure the support and suitable roles are there to enable them to do that. There will also be those who simply can't continue, and if government efforts to boost older worker numbers also include measures such as raising the ages at which they can access state and private pensions, it could bring real financial hardship to those who can't keep going. Read more: What Trump's tariff turmoil means for your pensions A few months back, an advert on a career website drew a lot of criticism when it described people in their late 40s as being in their late career and those aged over 55 as in decline. The offending post was taken down, but it shows there are some seriously outdated attitudes that need to be addressed if we are keep more older workers in the workforce. Finally, we need to address the issue of caring responsibilities. Many people in their 50s and 60s will be caring for loved ones, whether that be children, grandchildren, partners or parents. In many cases, they cannot remain in the workforce without significant support, which might be in the form of flexible or part-time working. Encouraging people to keep working for longer is a great idea in theory and could help boost global economies and people's pension planning, but there's a long way to go before it can become a reality for many people. Read more: The pros and cons of getting a mortgage into your 70s What Pope Leo and Warren Buffett show us about working and retiring Why it's important to plan for retirement with your partner Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Should people keep working until later in life?
Apparently, your 70s are the new 50s, according to the International Monetary Fund, which wants to see people stay in work for longer in a bid to ease fiscal pressures. Data seems to suggest that a 70-year-old in 2022 had the same cognitive function as a 53-year-old back in 2000. It also pointed to improved physical health as a reason why fit and healthy people should be encouraged to work into their 70s. This would go some way towards addressing the ratio of working people to retirees, which has become increasingly imbalanced. It would also give workers more time to build up their pensions. The most recent edition of the HL Savings and Resilience Barometer shows only 36% of households are on track for a moderate retirement, which shows there is still much to be done to build resilient retirements. Read more: Ignoring this form could delay pension inheritance and risk 40% tax However, it's a suggestion that will polarise people. Some will be more than happy to keep working as they enjoy the challenge, routine and social interaction that comes with work. It's fair to say others have been counting down the days until they finally leave the workforce and certainly won't want to stay on. There are real challenges to be faced as well. First and foremost, we need to address the issue of healthy life expectancy. We may be living for longer but that doesn't necessarily mean we're any healthier, and this will have an impact on how long we can work. Recent government data puts healthy life expectancy in England and Wales in the early 60s. So, while some people are able and willing to keep working, there is going to be a sizeable group who aren't. Some might be able to continue to work if they changed jobs, but we need to make sure the support and suitable roles are there to enable them to do that. There will also be those who simply can't continue, and if government efforts to boost older worker numbers also include measures such as raising the ages at which they can access state and private pensions, it could bring real financial hardship to those who can't keep going. Read more: What Trump's tariff turmoil means for your pensions A few months back, an advert on a career website drew a lot of criticism when it described people in their late 40s as being in their late career and those aged over 55 as in decline. The offending post was taken down, but it shows there are some seriously outdated attitudes that need to be addressed if we are keep more older workers in the workforce. Finally, we need to address the issue of caring responsibilities. Many people in their 50s and 60s will be caring for loved ones, whether that be children, grandchildren, partners or parents. In many cases, they cannot remain in the workforce without significant support, which might be in the form of flexible or part-time working. Encouraging people to keep working for longer is a great idea in theory and could help boost global economies and people's pension planning, but there's a long way to go before it can become a reality for many people. Read more: The pros and cons of getting a mortgage into your 70s What Pope Leo and Warren Buffett show us about working and retiring Why it's important to plan for retirement with your partner
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Snooze alarms may cost you vital sleep — three experts weigh in on the habit
The snooze button has been a common feature of alarm clocks for decades. PeopleImages/iStockphoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource When jolted awake by the blare of an alarm clock, it's tempting to reach for the snooze button to catch a bit more shut-eye. In my case, 'just five more minutes' is practically a morning mantra. And what's the harm? There's increasing debate about your snoozing habit, and whether or not it's silently sabotaging your morning. On the 'stop snoozing' side of the research, sleep scientist Dr. Rebecca Robbins suggests the snooze alarm may actually cost us sleep. 'That first alarm may interrupt vital stages of sleep, and anything that you might be able to get after hitting the snooze alarm is probably going to be low quality and fragmented sleep,' said Robbins, an associate scientist for the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The average snoozer takes an extra 11 minutes after their first alarm, according to a new study coauthored by Robbins that used data from the sleep-tracking app SleepCycle. That adds up to about one night's worth of sleep per month spent snoozing. As we sleep, the brain cycles through different stages of neurological activity and the second half of the night is dominated by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when most of our dreaming is thought to take place. It's an important sleep stage for our cognitive function and memory consolidation, said Robbins, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. 'When you press the snooze button, especially for just a few minutes at a time, you're not likely to return to that REM stage,' Robbins said. But for a different take, there are sleep experts like Dr. Justin Fiala, a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. There isn't consensus on whether this lighter sleep achieved during a snooze session always does more harm than good, said Fiala, who is also an assistant professor at Northwestern Medicine. On one hand, losing out on quality sleep instead of just waking up later may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and lower one's mood. 'Certainly, if you're feeling worse off (and) more tired from the snooze alarm, I would recommend going back to waking up cold turkey without it,' said Fiala, who also runs the CommunityHealth Chicago sleep clinic. On the other hand, those with a certain chronotype — a natural disposition determined by factors such as age and genetics — may benefit from the habit, Fiala said, referencing a 2023 study which found night owls tend to rely on their snooze button more. 'If your chronotype is nocturnal, you're a night owl, but your work schedule requires you to be up at 5 a.m., that increases the dissonance between what your body is naturally inclined to do,' Fiala said. For these night owls, the brief period of light sleep induced by the snooze button may actually help them transition from deeper stages of sleep interrupted by the first alarm into wakefulness, he said, adding that more research should be done to fully understand this effect and its limitations. Regardless of one's chronotype, this distinction of who gets the most out of snoozing can also help inform how to get the most out of snoozing. Consistency is key Most sleep experts emphasize adults get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for good health and emotional well-being. Sleeping enough can also reduce feelings of tiredness upon waking, but the consistency of your sleep timing is just as important as duration, said Kimberly Honn, an associate professor of psychology at Washington State University Spokane. At deep stages of sleep, electric pulses of the brain reach a highly rhythmic pattern different from our more erratic, awakened state, she explained. Trying to wake up during these stages cuts important brain maintenance processes short and can lead one to experience the foggy effects of sleep inertia, which can last for several minutes or even hours after waking up. When the body is accustomed to a regular sleep schedule, it may reduce the experience of sleep inertia upon waking, Honn said. The body can grow accustomed to moving through each sleep stage at similar times, ensuring sleep cycles are completed before waking and eventually allowing you to fall asleep faster. 'In the perfect world, we would not be relying on an alarm clock at all,' Robbins said. 'We would be able to fall asleep and wake up naturally and have energy throughout the day.' Fiala said he generally recommends varying bedtimes by no more than 30 minutes per night, even on weekends. If you have to switch schedules, he says you should change it incrementally over time. Optimizing your morning routine It's possible people who use the snooze button less simply don't have the luxury to sleep past their alarm, Robbins suggested. Inflexible work schedules could require first responders to start their shift promptly, or parents may have to rally their children out the door and toward the school bus. For this reason, Robbins recommends those trying to ditch a snoozing habit introduce more time constraints into their morning routine by setting the first alarm as late as possible. 'Ask yourself: Is there anything in that morning routine that you could maybe do without? Or maybe you could find a way to do it faster?' Robbins said. Snoozing could also mean you're losing out on time that could be used for adding wakefulness-promoting habits into your morning routine. The heaviest snoozers tracked in Robbins' study used around 22 to 27 minutes resting after the first alarm — time that could be used for stretching, journaling or cooking a nutritious breakfast, Robbins suggested. 'We talk a lot about wind down routines and bedtime rituals. I think morning rituals are also really lovely to help you get excited about your day,' Robbins said. 'It's important to find something to look forward to, whether that's a meeting in the morning, making yourself a cup of coffee, whatever helps motivate you (and) gets you out of bed.' Timing your alarm to the sunrise and allowing natural light to come through your windows in the morning can also help signal your body to wake up, Honn said.
CNN
26-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
Snooze alarms may cost you vital sleep — three experts weigh in on the habit
Winding downFacebookTweetLink Follow Editor's note: Sign up for CNN's Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. When jolted awake by the blare of an alarm clock, it's tempting to reach for the snooze button to catch a bit more shut-eye. In my case, 'just five more minutes' is practically a morning mantra. And what's the harm? There's increasing debate about your snoozing habit, and whether or not it's silently sabotaging your morning. On the 'stop snoozing' side of the research, sleep scientist Dr. Rebecca Robbins suggests the snooze alarm may actually cost us sleep. 'That first alarm may interrupt vital stages of sleep, and anything that you might be able to get after hitting the snooze alarm is probably going to be low quality and fragmented sleep,' said Robbins, an associate scientist for the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The average snoozer takes an extra 11 minutes after their first alarm, according to a new study coauthored by Robbins that used data from the sleep-tracking app SleepCycle. That adds up to about one night's worth of sleep per month spent snoozing. As we sleep, the brain cycles through different stages of neurological activity and the second half of the night is dominated by rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when most of our dreaming is thought to take place. It's an important sleep stage for our cognitive function and memory consolidation, said Robbins, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. 'When you press the snooze button, especially for just a few minutes at a time, you're not likely to return to that REM stage,' Robbins said. But for a different take, there are sleep experts like Dr. Justin Fiala, a pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. There isn't consensus on whether this lighter sleep achieved during a snooze session always does more harm than good, said Fiala, who is also an assistant professor at Northwestern Medicine. On one hand, losing out on quality sleep instead of just waking up later may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and lower one's mood. 'Certainly, if you're feeling worse off (and) more tired from the snooze alarm, I would recommend going back to waking up cold turkey without it,' said Fiala, who also runs the CommunityHealth Chicago sleep clinic. On the other hand, those with a certain chronotype — a natural disposition determined by factors such as age and genetics — may benefit from the habit, Fiala said, referencing a 2023 study which found night owls tend to rely on their snooze button more. 'If your chronotype is nocturnal, you're a night owl, but your work schedule requires you to be up at 5 a.m., that increases the dissonance between what your body is naturally inclined to do,' Fiala said. For these night owls, the brief period of light sleep induced by the snooze button may actually help them transition from deeper stages of sleep interrupted by the first alarm into wakefulness, he said, adding that more research should be done to fully understand this effect and its limitations. Regardless of one's chronotype, this distinction of who gets the most out of snoozing can also help inform how to get the most out of snoozing. Most sleep experts emphasize adults get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for good health and emotional well-being. Sleeping enough can also reduce feelings of tiredness upon waking, but the consistency of your sleep timing is just as important as duration, said Kimberly Honn, an associate professor of psychology at Washington State University Spokane. At deep stages of sleep, electric pulses of the brain reach a highly rhythmic pattern different from our more erratic, awakened state, she explained. Trying to wake up during these stages cuts important brain maintenance processes short and can lead one to experience the foggy effects of sleep inertia, which can last for several minutes or even hours after waking up. When the body is accustomed to a regular sleep schedule, it may reduce the experience of sleep inertia upon waking, Honn said. The body can grow accustomed to moving through each sleep stage at similar times, ensuring sleep cycles are completed before waking and eventually allowing you to fall asleep faster. 'In the perfect world, we would not be relying on an alarm clock at all,' Robbins said. 'We would be able to fall asleep and wake up naturally and have energy throughout the day.' Fiala said he generally recommends varying bedtimes by no more than 30 minutes per night, even on weekends. If you have to switch schedules, he says you should change it incrementally over time. It's possible people who use the snooze button less simply don't have the luxury to sleep past their alarm, Robbins suggested. Inflexible work schedules could require first responders to start their shift promptly, or parents may have to rally their children out the door and toward the school bus. For this reason, Robbins recommends those trying to ditch a snoozing habit introduce more time constraints into their morning routine by setting the first alarm as late as possible. 'Ask yourself: Is there anything in that morning routine that you could maybe do without? Or maybe you could find a way to do it faster?' Robbins said. Snoozing could also mean you're losing out on time that could be used for adding wakefulness-promoting habits into your morning routine. The heaviest snoozers tracked in Robbins' study used around 22 to 27 minutes resting after the first alarm — time that could be used for stretching, journaling or cooking a nutritious breakfast, Robbins suggested. 'We talk a lot about wind down routines and bedtime rituals. I think morning rituals are also really lovely to help you get excited about your day,' Robbins said. 'It's important to find something to look forward to, whether that's a meeting in the morning, making yourself a cup of coffee, whatever helps motivate you (and) gets you out of bed.' Timing your alarm to the sunrise and allowing natural light to come through your windows in the morning can also help signal your body to wake up, Honn said.
