Most younger Brits can’t get out of bed without hitting the snooze button at least once.
That’s according to a You Gov survey that found that for many Brits, hitting the snooze button represents a stay of execution from the inevitable realities of the morning.
But how many people actually take this opportunity for a few minutes extra sleep, and how addicted are they to hitting the button?
The research now reveals that a well-disciplined 41% of Brits don’t touch the snooze button at all.
Just over a third (37%) hit it at least once, while 14% do so three times or more.
A further one in five Brits (21%) don’t set an alarm in the morning in the first place.
Age was found to be the key factor in who does and doesn’t hit that button.
Younger Brits are much more dependent on the snooze button. The majority (58%) of under-35s use the snooze button at least once in the morning, and a quarter (25%) put off getting up at least three times.
Likewise, older Brits – those aged 55 and over – are the most likely to not set an alarm in the first place (38% compared to 8-13% among the younger age groups).
This is likely to be because so many of this age group are retired and have no need for an alarm now that they are no longer working.
Snooze button users and abusers beware, however. Neuroscientist Professor Matthew Walker recently warned that snooze buttons can be damaging to our health.
According to Professor Walker, being artificially wrenched from our sleep causes a spike in blood pressure and a shock acceleration in heart rate. Hitting the snooze button subjects the body to this repeatedly within a short space of time.
So beware the next time you set that alarm and reach for the button
