The fact that a technology has been largely replaced by new innovations certainly does not mean that the old technology is dead forever. Take the example of vinyl records. Even in the digital age, this ionic analog format is making a comeback. Likewise, it seems traditional alarm clocks are having a moment again, especially among Gen Z.
This isn’t the first retro technology that young people have adopted in recent years. Besides vinyl records and other forms of physical media, they also started using old-fashioned digital cameras and various other gadgets that you might have assumed were relics of the (recent) past. However, the decision to use a simple alarm clock instead of relying on a phone’s clock app may not simply be an ironic statement or a nostalgia-fueled impulse. There’s reason to believe that using a traditional alarm clock instead of a smartphone may offer health benefits that can affect everything from mood and concentration to sleep quality.
The health reasons for the return of physical awakenings
Smartphones and apps are certainly not designed to promote quality sleep. For example, smartphone screens emit blue light, and exposure to this type of light can suppress the body’s natural production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. As such, looking at your phone before bed can make it difficult to relax. If you use your phone as an alarm clock, simply checking the time in the middle of the night can wake the brain to the point that getting back to sleep becomes a real challenge.
There’s also the fact that phones are inherent sources of potential stress and nervous system activation. When you receive a notification, it triggers your nervous system, prompting you to check for an email, update, etc. Having the phone nearby can cause you to be on constant high alert, preventing you from truly relaxing. This may be why those who ditch smartphone clocks in favor of traditional physical alarm clocks report feeling more rested and refreshed when they wake up. Not having a major potential source of distraction (or even distress) on the nightstand can allow them to achieve a state of physical rest to which they are not accustomed.
Ask yourself if you could benefit from this change. While a smartphone can absolutely help you be productive in some way, the extent to which it interferes with quality rest and sleep can counteract those benefits. Sometimes maximizing productivity means knowing when to put the phone away.
