Why Do Most Snooze Buttons Only Give You Nine More Minutes of Sleep?

Answer 1

I want one of those! My snooze only gives me 5 =(. I'm obviously getting jipped on the other 4 minutes, lol.

Answer 2

Great question! I have always wondered about this mystery as well... I was like, "this dang clock must be broken somehow," when I had my clock and first noticed it only gave me 9 extra minutes to sleep. Then, I realized they all (or majority) were like this. I have devised my own theory about this – but it is surely not proven, nor am I claiming this to be fact. I am just sharing with you my slightly researched and educated theory. I think it actually has something to do with how we sleep. I recall reading an article in a “Discovery Health” magazine that said something very interesting. For an average person to *initially* fall asleep, it takes about 20 – 30+ minutes, however, once we fall asleep and "get in the zone" if you will, we might for whatever reason need to get up.

This can happen because, say a noise wakes us up (an alarm, a baby crying, dog barking, etc), or we might need to use the bathroom, get a drink of water, or countless other possibilities. Well, when we get up after being asleep, our body stays in somewhat of a "pause" mode for a little while to make it easier for us to get back to sleep. That way we wouldn't get up to use the bathroom, and then have to wait 30 minutes to get back to sleep – instead you usually can slip right back into sleep rather quickly. This pause mode on returning back to sleep that our body holds out on lasts for approximately 10 minutes or so, so if we stay inactive for about this long then the body assumes that we are going back to rest and then initiates the processes to put us back into rest mode.

Well, alarm clocks (I think) are designed with this knowledge in mind. By giving a person only 9 minutes of extra sleep, the person gets to rest a bit longer, but does not slip entirely into a full blown sleep again had they would if they stayed inactive for 10+ minutes. Of course, there are exceptions such as those who fall asleep totally and then never even hear the snooze alarm go off again, and other variations. Nevertheless, as I said, this is *my own* theory on it and what I think. Cheers!

Answer 3

I only get 5 minutes. I'll keep hitting snooze for 5 times and on the sixth time it rings, I'll press the off button. xD

Answer 4

because they're damn rip-offs, lol

i have this alarm clock that allows you to change the amount of time your snooze button gives you. i change it to an hour. i have to get up at 7. it rings at 6 *slap* and then i have another hour. it feels good, and works well. *shrug*

Answer 5

It actually expects us to wake up pffft...I've worn out my snooze button! hehehe

Answer 6

No kidding!

I need at least 22 minutes

Answer 7

I only get 7 but you can use a mouse trap to fix that.

Answer 8

haha. Mine gets 15. Can you change the setting?

Answer 9

mine gives me 4

Answer 10

mine gives me 8!