Snoozing the shit out of your alarm is a good thing, according to science.

Who hasn’t hit snooze at least once (or five) times in the morning after their alarm has gone off?

Your goal might be to bounce out of bed at that first beep, but if you’re struggling, science says don’t worry because you’re better off sneaking in those few extra moments of sleep.

New research shows people who snooze don’t lose – in fact the opposite – they’re likely to be more intelligent, more creative and even happier than those who jump out of bed the second their alarm sounds.

The British study Why Night Owls Are More Intelligent found being in control of when you go to sleep and when you wake up is a sign of intelligence.

Watch: Check out the hairstyle that will fake a good night’s sleep

The study’s authors, Satoshi Kanazawa and Kaja Perina argue modern living requires us to be more adaptable. While going to bed early and getting up early likens us, in some respects, to our ancestors, negotiating a relatively modern invention like the snooze button on alarms shows a greater degree of intelligence.

In simple terms: ignoring the rule that says you have to get up as soon as your alarm sounds, and instead acting on what your body needs means you’re more likely to follow your ambitions and tackle your problems yourself.

The report is backed up by findings from a similar study undertaken by the University of Southampton.

This study compared socioeconomic situations of 1229 men and women with their sleep patterns. The findings from that research showed people who went to bed after 11pm and got up after 8am earned more money and had a happier lifestyle.

So while we’re all about getting in more guilt-free sleep, New Zealand health experts recommend that most adults need around 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.