Sunrise alarm clocks

Ali_UK

Am so glad this thread is here! I really struggled, yet again this morning to wake up. I leant out of bed and threw open the curtain but, of course, there was barely any light outside anyway. I definitely don't have this problem in Summer, I'm awake when it's light and am rarely , late for work!

Thanks to everyone who has given their opinions on what does/doesn't work, I was looking for someone who does a 30 day money back guarantee on one of the clocks so I could give it a try first but instead now I think I'll take the plunge and get a Lumie clock thingy....now if only I could find that Boots Christmas shopping postcard they sent me!!


EDIT 1.47pm - Have just popped into the Boots near me that was having the Christmas shopping day - joy! Poster in the window says it is tomorrow at 6pm. Popped downstairs to see what they had......BOOO! Only had the radio one at £79.99 and I didn't really want to pay an extra £20 for a radio I won't use! Looks like I might just have to order off the website to grab some extra points!!

summerday

I might take the plunge and buy one of these body clock things this year. I'm not a morning person at the best of times but in winter it really gets me down trying to get up for work when the alarm goes off. A couple of things I've found that help a bit are to have the radio alarm on instead, and a bit earlier than I need to get up, so at least I hear music to gradually wake me up, rather than a bell ringing. Alos, when the alarm goes off I reach my hand out for my bedside lamp and open my eyes just a tiny bit every few minutes to wake me up. But one of these body clocks would be better I'm sure. I'm tempted to go for the model Badgergal opted for- how do you find it?

No one knows of any current offers/deals per chance do they?

Thanks, Sarah.

Ted_Hutchinson

Boots points deals on Sadlight/sunrise
But do remember that light gets to the brain almost entirely through your eyes and when you are asleep your eyes are usually shut. Which is why a cheap time switch connected to a standard bedside light, preferably with a high output low-energy bulb, set to come on half an hour before you wake up will save you money and if you have it directed as close to your face as possible and look at it directly as soon as you wake up for as long as possible,this will also help.
Because there is no substitute for light it is impossible to perform placebo controlled trials so it is inevitable that the placebo effect will affect the results of Sadlight/Sunrise therapy.

Edit: I have emboldened the word almost which was there originally. I am not saying these sunrise lights don't work, just pointing out that as far as SAD is concerned you really need to get the maximum amount of light through your eyes to your brain as early in the day as possible. I still think for a dimmer, time switch and beside light they are a bit pricey. But pleased for those who manage to get the price compensated for by extra points and discount.

JenIttels

I had the same problem (the cheaper one being out of stock). I'm going to try another store next week (with an advanced phone call to see if they can get them in for me) and if not i'm buying off the website as it's offering triple points + the extra 500.

I SHALL get a bargain in the end! I SHALL have a clock which helps me get up in the morning!

Edited to add: also found a promotional code last night in the boots xmas gifts catalogue.

Spend over £100 in a single transaction (boots.com)and get 1500 points : XXCM94

£100 is an easy total when you're planning on getting two of the clocks (boyfriend and i both want one)

skintchick

Yo';re not quite right about this Ted. You will notice that when your eyes are shut you can still tell if it is light or dark, as your eyelids allow some light through. The Lumie clocks light up gradually over 30 minutes. The light filters through your eyelids and your brain registers that it is getting lighter, just as it would with a natural sunrise. So, when the alarm goes off, the light is at full brightness, your body is awake and ready to get up. In theory anyway!

Just having a light come on with a timer would still shock the body as there would be no gradual increase of the light and it would not mimic the sunrise.

THe OP wasn't interested in SAD, just in being able to get up time!

Ali_UK

I can DEFINITELY tell the difference between a light on and a light off with my eyes closed!

Yeah for triple points kicking in today, however, I now don't have a money off code that works....will search and order!


EDIT: Am very excited! Just ordered the Lumie Sunray - normal price £59.95. Used a code from the Boots thread and got £5 off plus got the 500 extra points and triple points so all in all paid £54.95 and got 1219 points - am VERY pleased I didn't buy it yesterday and now I don't have to go and be tempted by the Christmas shopping event!

Ellie2758

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can somebody direct me to the Boots thread with the codes on?

thanks ever so

Ellie

Ali_UK

Go here......(hope the link works!)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=44976&page=24&pp=10

Agent_C

Anyone had any joy in asking Boots to order one of these in for them? I want to get the Advanced one with my hard-earned advantage card points, but my local Boots (Sheffield high street) only stocks the radio one. I tried the big Birmingham store the other week but although they normally stocked the Advanced one, it was out of stock. I'm going to try Birmingham again this week, but failing that, I could be a bit stuck, as you can't use Advantage points on the Boots website.

mah_jong

I got the cheapie one mentioned in early in the thread (14.99..thanks ted), Its not perfect,I have to lift it up to turn it off before the sound alarm part goes off, I use it conjunction with the radio alarm...so for 5 mins before the light gently wakens me. But its better than waking to the news with a jolt. We shall see how it is come the depth of winter!!!
I like the idea of using a dimmer on a timer too......