In the fast-paced world we live in, quality sleep has become a precious commodity. The demands that come with the world, such as work, social life and other tasks, have made it increasingly hard for us to prioritise and get a good night’s sleep. The importance that sleep has cannot be overlooked as it directly affects our physical and mental well-being. That’s why it’s important to find ways to optimise our sleep patterns, and sometimes, we need the right tools to achieve that. This is when the alarm comes into play.
Origins of Alarm Clocks
People have been using alarms to wake up before clocks were even a thing. The original cue to wake up was the sun, and roosters have likely played a role in making sure that people woke up. Before there was an actual device known as an alarm clock people had other things waking them, such as church bells, and by the 1300s we can find descriptions of chiming clock towers in Europe designed to inform the residents of the time.
It wasn’t until the 1870s that alarm clocks were a common thing in private homes. Over time, this little device evolved and got features like radio receivers, snooze buttons and more, and we’ve got the smart alarms today that wake us up. It’s no surprise that reliable alarm clocks in Australia and the rest of the world have become a staple in every home.
Benefits of Having an Alarm Clock
The fact they wake you up in the morning, interrupt your sleep, and notify you that your day has got to start makes for a love-hate kind of relationship most of us have with these clocks. For the early birds, this might not be a problem, but for the night owls, the alarm is a nightmare. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that the alarm is the bad guy since there are many benefits to using it, so let’s go over some.
Staying on Time
In our society, being punctual is important, so we always try to be. Without an alarm clock, many of us would oversleep and be late to work or any other arrangement we might have early in the morning. It acts as our timekeeper, ensuring that we start our day on schedule and so have time to do our morning routines such as do a little bit of workout, have breakfast or coffee, and still be on time for our duties.
Consistent Sleep Schedule
Our bodies get used to a certain routine, and having a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for our bodies to be able to rest and be ready for the day ahead. Waking around the same time each day is beneficial for our biological clock and without an alarm clock that wouldn’t be possible. Using it can help us schedule a consistent sleep pattern that will be very beneficial for us.
Peace of Mind
Imagine going to bed each night and being worried that you won’t wake up on time the next morning for your dentist appointment. Horrible, isn’t it? Worrying will make you toss and turn all night without getting any sleep and therefore your day will be ruined since you’ll be sleepy, moody and tired. Having an alarm set will make sure that you go to bed knowing that it will wake you up in the morning, so you’ll be sleeping like a baby.
Digital vs. Analog
The evolution of alarm clocks has seen a transition from traditional analog clocks to digital devices with a myriad of features, and we’ve come to the point where we don’t even need a device called an alarm clock because we have those in our phones.
But, sometimes, it’s good to have a separate device that will do us more good than harm. For example, almost all of us can’t fall asleep before scrolling on our phones, which means we leave the phone somewhere near us and that can be distracting as we can get notifications that would wake us up.
Having an analog clock means that you can peacefully go to bed and not worry that your phone battery might die, or that your sound isn’t on so you won’t be able to hear the alarm. So, you might wonder which of the various alarm clocks in Australia shops around you is best. Of course, this is a personal preference and you can choose which device works best for you and your sleep schedule, comparing prices, sizes, features and designs.
Tips on How to Wake Up Refreshed
Being woken up early in the morning doesn’t always have to mean that you’ll be tired. There are many things you can do to help your body get used to the sleep schedule. For example:
- Go to bed on time. If you know that you’re gonna have to wake up early, there’s no point in staying up late and watching TV or something on your phone when you know that the outcome of that is you being tired all day the next day.
- Eat well – make sure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs so that it can function properly, and you will be able to go through the day without multiple cups of coffee just to keep your eyes open.
- Don’t hit snooze – it may seem irrelevant, but hitting snooze isn’t helping you. That way you disrupt your sleep schedule and it leaves you groggy all morning. Being disciplined about your sleep routine contributes to a smoother and more energetic start to the day.
In a world where time is of the essence, the alarm clock stands as a reliable ally in our quest for a well-rested and productive life. From the beginning of time, people have used something to help them wake up on time, and from its historical origins to the modern smart age, the alarm has evolved and modified to meet our needs and help us get the sleep and rest we deserve. So, set the alarm and don’t worry about tomorrow – you will wake up on time.
