'The alarm clock is dead: long live the mobile', say millions of Brits today in a wake- up call to our nation. Budget hotel chain Travelodge quizzed 3,000 respondents on waking up habits and 71% of UK adults claimed that alarm clocks are now obsolete. The faithful bedside companion has been cast off in favour of the modern must-have, a mobile phone. Sixteen million Brits (36%) now prefer using the latest ring tone to rouse them from sleep rather than the shrill bleeping of an alarm clock.
Other popular methods of waking the nation's sleepers included:
- The voices of Terry Wogan and the UK's favourite DJ the chirpy Chris Moyles (34%)
- Setting the body clock to wake up naturally (17%)
- Relying on partner to wake up (7%)
- Being nuzzled by pet cat or dog (5%)
- By listening to favourite tunes on the Ipod (1%)
Leigh McCarron, Travelodge Sleep Director said: "We used to get lots of requests for alarm clocks and wake-up calls but now customers seem content with using their mobile phones. Our business customers are always travelling light so why bring yet another gadget to add to the phone, laptop and ipod"
Chris Idzikowski, Sleep Expert from Edinburgh Sleep Centre said: "Alarm clocks have been shown to cause heart rhythm irregularities which might cause a heart attack. The alarm clock's strident ringing tone can be a shock to the body and mind. My recommendation is to wake up naturally as the awakening is part of a natural sleep-wake cycle and it can help you feel less groggy. Sleep tends to run on a 90 minute cycle, try to sleep in multiples of 90 minutes."
Travelodge Sleep Director, Leigh McCarron has developed the following tips to help activate the body clock in order to wake up naturally:
1. Make your last thought before sleeping to be your intention to wake up at a particular time
2. Sleep in complete darkness until dawn
3. Keep a sleep diary and work out the average time you sleep and the average time you awaken. Then choose a bedtime which best fits your average sleep time
4. Sleep tends to run on a 90 minute cycle - aim to sleep in multiple of 90 minutes
In addition the research also looked into what other outdated gadgets and accessories still hold a place in the British bedroom.
Findings revealed Brits are harbouring a range of old fashioned gadgets and accessories in their modern bedrooms which include John Major's favourite bedroom gadget the teasmade (3%), trouser press (4%), candlewick and flower power bedspreads (12%) and net curtains (29%).
Respondents were asked which bedroom gadget or accessory would they like to see back in fashion and nearly a quarter of the nation (21%) said they would like the iconic teasmade to be cool again.
End
For further information, please contact:
Shakila Ahmed
Travelodge
D: 01844 35 8638
M: 07802 702 499
Notes to Editor:
The research was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Travelodge in April 2008 amongst 3000 adults
About Travelodge
Travelodge became the first budget hotel company to launch in the UK when it opened the Barton-under-Needwood Travelodge in Staffordshire in 1985. Travelodge currently has 330 hotels (over 20,000 rooms)- nine in Ireland, three in Spain and rest in the UK. Hotels are conveniently located in city centres, near attractions, airports and at the roadside. The chain plans to have 1000 hotels in the UK by 2020. New Travelodges opening this year include: Wakefield, Blackpool, Carlisle, London Euston, London Southwark, Bracknell, Cardiff, Uxbridge, Glasgow, Hereford, Lowestoft, Torquay and Stratford on Avon.
Six and a half million people stayed with Travelodge in 2006 and 83% of reservations are made online at travelodge.co.uk where room prices start from £19 per room, per night. Travelodge offers double, disabled-access or family rooms (catering for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 16). All rooms are ensuite, with luxury king size beds, colour TV and free tea- and coffee-making facilities.