http://www.care2.com/greenliving/alarm-clocks-easy-greening.html
Alarm Clocks: Easy Greening
By Melissa Breyer, Producer, Care2 Green Living
Cultures across the globe believe that waking up suddenly is actually dangerous for the soul. Somehow, that really resonates. At the very least, the heart-rattling bell or shrill startling beep beep beep of a standard alarm clock is just a crummy way to start the day. Scientists don’t study safety hazards for the soul, but studies have found that gradual awakening increases sleep quality. Read about alternative alarm clocks here and discover how to wake up on time gracefully.
Studies have shown that waking gradually improves sleep quality. In these trials gradual wakening was done through dawn simulation, a technique in which light is gradually increased in imitation of a natural sunrise.
We have inherited biological rhythms that are in tune with our environment—which is to say that our internal clocks are set to the sun. Dawn simulation helps to reset the body clock in a way that allows our bodies to start waking up the way the body naturally wants to wake up. By coordinating awakening to our bodies natural rhythm and our surroundings, overall sleep improves. In studies, dawn simulation not only improved sleep quality, but increased well being overall!
Personally, waking up with the sunrise is my favorite way to start the day and suits my schedule well in the summer. But with shorter days and later sunrises, I need to get up before the sun does. I find that a softly beeping alarm clock is preferable to something more startling, but I think there’s something to this dawn-simulation theory. It just makes sense. And if indigenous cultures across the globe share a similar theory about sudden wakening, I am prone to think there must be some universal wisdom in the belief.
To that end, there are a number of non-alarming alarm clocks designed to ease your way from slumber to bright-eyes. Generally referred to as dawn simulating or sunrise clocks, they have a light that gradually increases—and apparently they actually do wake you up. One even has an aromatherapy option with which you can choose to wake up with the scent of brewing coffee. These just seem like much better options than, say, the Sonic Bomb Clock with its 113 decibels (louder than a jackhammer) and 12-volt bed shaker. Soul, take cover.
Sunrise clocks are more expensive than your average clock, but there is a range in price and less expensive ones can be purchased for under fifty dollars. Some other less expensive, gentle awakening, alternatives to sunrise clocks are listed below as well. And if you’re worried about sleeping through the “sunrise”—most people report that it works even for sound sleepers, but sunrise clocks come equipped with a back-up alarm just in case.
Alarm clocks to prevent a rattled soul:
The Peaceful Progression Wake-Up Clock is one of the least expensive ones on the market, and comes equipped with nature sounds and an aromatherapy bowl.
BioBrite has a whole line of award winning dawn simulating clocks—you can check out the range of their products here.
Lighten Up isn’t an alarm clock, but an adaptor to use with your own lamp that will gradually turn on the lamp. There are other similar products on the market, but at twenty-five dollars this is the least expensive one we found—it is privately distributed.
If a sunrise clock is out of your reach, this Nature Sounds Alarm Clock can give you a similar wake up call, in the form of crickets, water, birds, seagulls, or rooster—all that soul-soothing nature for under eleven dollars!
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11 comments
add your comment »I have an alarm clock that was given to me as a Christmas gift, they got it at a Sam's Club, it not only has the traditional (and annoying) beeping, you can wake up to the radio, OR sounds of birds chirping, a stream (which doesn't really sound like a babbling brook,lol) and my personal fav, the ocean waves crashing.
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Another option is a gong clock, which you can can also use for meditation intervals, massage practice, etc. Very peaceful. Or a recording of a Tibetan singing bowl has a similar effect. I don't agree with the 'tricking' of your body comments... I have always found non simulating products to be most effective.
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Here's a $2.49 solution: I downloaded the "Peace on Earth" by Mistletoe Lounge ringtone for my cell phone. I put the ringer on low and it snoozes automatically. It's a nice way to start the day, even if I can't sleep in that day. :)
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I have used a dawn simulator for 4 years. It is wonderful !!! The gradual light penetrates the closed eye lids and fools your brain into thinking the sun is rising. Even in the very dead of winter at 5:30 AM, I just automatically open my eyes, without an alarm clock. Of course my simulator has a back up alarm which is a gentle beep that increases in loudness gradually, but i only use that for an occasional snooze. I hight recommend a dawn simulator, the best money I have spent in years. But research them first, as they can get expensive.
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I have a Sony alarm clock with a CD player that came with a nature sounds CD. I tried the birds chirping, but found myself waking up to birds in my back yard an hour or two earlier than I wanted so I switched to an ocean surf sound. Unfortunately, sometimes my fan and CPAP machine make sounds similar to surf, so I still wind up waking early. In either case, it is still much preferable to that awful beep beep beep (most annoying sound known to mankind).
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I do see your point but these dawn simulation alarm clocks are not exactly evnvironmentally friendly, are they ? Do they sell any wind up ones ?
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I always wake up at the time I set my internal alarm to when I go to bed - usually it is daybreak but I can wake earlier if I tell myself to. My partner does the same thing. we have never usd alarm clocks.
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I also have been directed via the adopt the sky page.
I am on my second sunrise alarm. Yes they might be a bit expencive, but once you have used one you will agree it is well worth it. I started using one close to 20 yrs. ago because of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). SAD is a medical situation where when the days start getting shorter you body tells you it is time to hibernate. But with a sunrise light you can trick your body that the days really aren't getting shorter. I have Nature's Clock by Remington. It has the Sunrise/Sunset Simulator, Regular alarm , Nature Sounds (6 of them) and Aromatherapy. It is possible to use all of them together or any combination that you would like. I like Ocean Surf best. What this has done for my depression is amazing.
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I as well have used a Nature sounds alarm that gets progressively louder, after wakening up to birds chirping gently I could NEVER go back to an annoying BEEP or other (just make it stop) noise, it has two other sounds as well and the price is very reasonable. Do yourself a favor and try one you will LOVE IT!
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I have used a clock similar to the Nature Sounds Alarm Clock for a number of years and love it! The sounds are gentle and get progressively louder. This way I don't feel like I am being jarred out of bed each morning.
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