In the classic film, “Singing in the Rain,” one of the most beloved scenes is when Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds perform a happy pre-coffee dance routine to the tune of “Good Morning.”

There’s nothing like a healthy dose of tap dancing to ramp up your morning… but for most of us, we’re more likely to spend the first few minutes yawning, rubbing our eyes, and staggering to the kitchen, hoping we remembered to switch on the coffeemaker timer before hitting the hay.

That sluggishness we feel upon awakening is better known to scientists as “sleep inertia” – and the degree to which it affects the rest of your day has been a matter of research for some time.

And the kind of alarm you use to shake those dreamtime cobwebs free can make a big difference.

A recent study by RMIT University notes: “If you don’t wake properly, your work performance can be degraded for periods up to four hours, and that has been linked to major accidents.”

Scary stuff – so what’s the best way to wake up bright-eyed AND bushy-tailed?

Turns out, the “BEEP-BEEP-BEEP” approach doesn’t do the trick when it comes to kicking off the day with a spring in our step. In fact, the study seems to indicate that this style of alarm disrupts or confuses brain activity… leading to increased grogginess after awakening.

A better approach involves more melodic sounds… such as the Beach Boys or some other tune (I’d be wary of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” especially in early February).

The wake-up call you DON’T want is reaching retirement age, and finding out your portfolio just won’t cut it. To make sure you can sleep soundly, give us a call today at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book online to schedule a financial checkup.

Regards,
Dan Cuprill, CFP®