For those of us who aren’t morning birds, the awful buzz of an alarm clock might just be the worst part of the day. To be rudely awakened from a peaceful slumber is not only irritating - it can be detrimental to your health. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research estimates that 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders and another 20 to 30 million experience sleep problems intermittently. Experts estimate the direct costs of sleeplessness at $15.9 billion annually and another $100 billion or more in indirect costs, such as litigation, property destruction, hospitalization and death resulting from sleep disorders and sleep deprivation. With such a hefty price tag on sleepless nights, it’s no wonder that some alarm clocks are going high-tech to help people cope.
One such product, the Soleil Sun Alarm, works to mimic what should awaken us naturally: the sunrise. Sleep specialists point out that waking up by alarm can be very stressful on the body and recommend using natural light to awaken. But, in today’s 24/7 world, many people are not afforded the luxury of waking up to real sun. The Soleil Sun Alarm is designed to help your body reproduce its own “awakening” hormone.
Custom features on the clock allow the user to create their own “sunrise” – specifically, you can designate how bright you want the light to become and how quickly it should brighten. Once activated, the “Krypton Bulb” light automatically fades in from zero to full intensity over the selected time intervals of 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. For those who travel frequently, a security feature on the clock can be set to illuminate the bulb at random intervals to give the impression that someone is home. Plus, the light can be adjusted manually to function as a “mood light” or low-level light. If you’re a heavy sleeper and concerned that you may sleep through the gradual brightening, you can set the alarm to beep at the end of the sunrise cycle.
The Soleil Sun Alarm is compact in size so it takes up very little space on the nightstand. The rounded top creates a realistic sun replica, and the light is more intense in the center and gradually disperses as it moves outward. There’s also an AM/FM radio (but no CD player), snooze function and battery backup. Reviews overall are mixed. Some users disliked the small buttons, which can be hard to operate for those with arthritis or other mobility impairments. Plus, heavy sleepers point out that, since they need the “beep” function to awaken when the sunrise doesn’t do the trick, it’s really no different than any other alarm clock.
A good night’s sleep is unquestionably important, but as our days become increasingly busy, sleep is becoming less of a necessity and more of a luxury. When your biological clock and your schedule don’t mesh, some form of artificial wake-up is going to be a part of the morning routine. With this alarm clock and other light-therapy options, at least you know there are more options than BUZZ!
The Soleil Sun Alarm is available from several online retailers, with prices ranging from $69 to $89.
