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Not everyone is wired to get out of bed the second their alarm clock goes off in the morning, especially if you need to be up and at it before the crack of dawn. Fortunately, investing in a sunrise alarm clock — aka a light alarm clock — can make waking up a much sunnier experience.
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"Light is the best cue for our sleep-wake rhythms. Morning bright light signals 'wake' and helps all our systems from head to toe get into wake mode,"
This light alarm clock is perfect for the morning grouch (no judgments) who needs a gentle a.m. wake-up routine. It mimics the natural sunrise, which helps you smoothly transition out of sleep.
"It's better on your body if [the light] is a slow progression. That's why the sun takes a while to rise and takes a while to set. So if that artificial light can mimic the sun, then that's really beneficial to the brain and the overall body and hormone level," Leadley says.
But it's not just great for waking up. Hatch's clock also allows you to create a bedtime routine and wind down with
While this light alarm clock has a much heftier price tag than the others on this list, it has been clinically proven to help people wake up more naturally and
You don't need to shell out a ton to get a quality sunrise alarm clock. This wallet-friendly option has all the bells and whistles you're looking for at a much more affordable price tag. Just like the other sunrise clocks on this list, it simulates the sunrise to help you ease into your day.
For those who like to listen to music as they get ready in the morning, it allows you to stream your favorite tunes through Bluetooth. And at night, it plays 15 different sound therapy tracks and a
Whether you have a newborn or a toddler you're sleep-training, this three-in-one device acts as a sound machine, night light and time-to-rise light.
Through the app on your phone, you can set a nap time, bedtime and
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Wake up at a different time on weekends? This light alarm clock from Lumie offers a seven-day alarm to help you set your schedule for the week.
Like the other sunrise alarm clocks on this list, it increases the light intensity from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on how quickly you want to get out of bed.
In addition, there are five presets for the FM radio, so you can hop out of bed to the tunes of Taylor Swift or your local news. For your evening ritual, you can program a gradual sunset to help you fall asleep.
Buy it: Amazon; Price: $159
What to Look for in a Sunrise Alarm Clock
1. Brightness
Everyone has their own preference for their level of light intensity when they wake up in the morning. If you're someone who has a hard time kicking the snooze-button habit, you might benefit from a sunrise alarm clock that has a longer duration of light in the morning to help coax you out of bed.
And if you usually don't have any issues getting out of bed but want to wake up feeling more energized, a short 15- to 30-minute interval of increasing light intensity might be your Goldilocks.
Keep your partner in mind, too, if you share a bed and have a different wake-up or sleep schedule than you.
2. Sleep Features
If you have additional goals of improving your sleep, investing in a sunrise alarm clock with a variety of winding-down options might be worth it. Some of these clocks come equipped with guided meditations and breathing exercises, as well as a dim reading light.
Consider whether using these features will help you commit to a better nighttime routine that keeps you off your phone and/or TV.
3. Sound
Sound plays a big role in your wake routine and ability to stay asleep at night, so if you're someone who could use a little auditory boost with either, see about getting a sunrise alarm clock with multiple sound options.
Some sunrise alarm clocks include energizing nature sounds to help you get out of bed in the a.m. and soothing white noise to help block outside sound that may interrupt your sleep.
