You may find that if you go to sleep at the same time every night, you naturally wake up at the same time most mornings. However, you cannot rely on this method if you want to arrive at work on time every morning. You may want to invest in an alarm clock for peace of mind.
An alarm clock is the best way to ensure you wake up on time. But with so many alarm clocks on the market, how do you choose the best one for you? To help you make your purchase, we have written this handy buying guide. Read on for more information.
Why use an alarm clock instead of using a mobile phone?
Many people use the alarm on their mobile phones. However, there are many reasons why using an alarm clock is advantageous. Here are some of them:
Distractions
A mobile phone gives you access to the internet. As a result, you may be tempted to find the answer to a question that popped in your head, read your emails, or lose yourself in cute animal videos. Making your bedroom a phone-free zone will prevent you from these distractions and from staying awake later than you should.
Blue light
Many studies show that light has the most significant effect on sleep. The term “blue light” refers to a particular wavelength of light that is emitted from our mobile devices. When we come into contact with this blue light, it reduces the melatonin production in our brain, which is the hormone that induces sleep. Getting into a habit of using your phone late at night can possibly lead to decreased melatonin production and insomnia.
EMFs
Electromagnetic fields from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can interfere with your sleep. This low-level radiation can disrupt your nervous system and damage your cells, interrupting your sleep. Even if you turn off your Wi-Fi, your phone will send out EMFs while searching for a Wi-Fi signal. As such, the best thing to do is turn off your phone and your Wi-Fi and use an alarm clock instead.
Things to consider when buying an alarm clock
If you are looking for the perfect alarm clock, you may want to consider the following features.
Different sounds
The most important thing about an alarm clock is its ability to wake you up.
Studies show that sudden sounds like the classic buzz of an alarm clock can cause us to feel groggy when we wake up, a phenomenon known as sleep inertia.
Sleep inertia occurs when you have high levels of melatonin in the body when you wake. For example, when an alarm wakes you up suddenly, it increases your heart rate, and your blood pressure spikes, putting you in a bad mood. Conversely, waking up to more gradual sounds that you find appealing is proven to reduce the amount of melatonin in your body before you wake up.
Choose an alarm clock with a sound you know will wake you up in the most peaceful way possible. You can buy an alarm clock that plays your music, plays the radio, plays an audiobook, or plays calming sounds of nature. If you want to play your music, choose an alarm clock with a media player dock or Bluetooth abilities.
Consider getting a light alarm clock
Darkness reduces serotonin levels. As well as causing us to feel happy, serotonin ensures we maintain a regular circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a natural sleep-wake cycle that repeats roughly every 24 hours.
By using light to wake up, an alarm clock can mimic sunrise during the winter months when it is still dark when you need to get up. This will increase your serotonin levels and help you maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.
Using light to wake up is also better than using a jarring alarm. Your body naturally starts to wake as the light gets brighter, allowing you to wake up without an abrupt end to your deep sleep.
Don’t buy a brightly lit alarm clock
Make sure the alarm clock you buy does not have a clock that is too brightly lit. Bright lights can trick your body into thinking it is daytime, causing insomnia and damaging your circadian rhythm.
Ease of use
How confident are you that you will wake up in the morning, turn your alarm off and not go back to sleep? If you buy an alarm clock that is extremely easy to turn off in the morning you may oversleep.
You may need an alarm that isn’t very easy to turn off to ensure you are truly awake. If this is the case, you can now buy alarm clocks that require you to actively do something to turn them off! Some clocks have wheels and run away from you, while some have a target you have to shoot a certain number of times to turn off. It’s certainly safe to say that manufacturers are getting creative to make sure you get to work in the morning. These make sure you do something to get out of bed and aren't inclined to lay back down.
On the other hand, if an easy-to-turn-off alarm clock appeals to you, there are plenty of options on the market with large pause or snooze buttons or even motion-activated gestures that allow you to wave off the alarm.
Style
Alarm clocks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from a variety of materials. Many manufacturers have come up with unique ways to tell the time, such as lighting up certain words, a talking clock, and the classic digital or analog display. There's a style for every function, style, and need imaginable.
Alarm clock price range
You can buy a standard alarm clock for as little as $7. However, if you want an alarm clock with many unique features or made from quality materials you can pay between $50 and $300, even more if you are looking for luxury.
FAQs
Q. How do I wake myself up when I feel tired?
A. There are several things you can do to make yourself feel more awake in the morning.
First, ensure you have good quality sleep. Make sure you are clean before you go to bed— have a relaxing bath and brush your teeth. Have a glass of water next to your bed so you can drink if you wake up during the night without the need to walk around, as moving about your home will wake you up and make it difficult to get back to sleep.
Second, make sure you get enough sleep. Most people function best when they get between 6 and 9 hours of sleep. Find out what amount is best for you and give your body the option of having 9 hours of sleep if you can afford to. You should go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning.
Third, when you wake up in the morning, do not hit snooze on your alarm. Instead, choose a gradual alarm that will not rip you out of REM sleep. Drink a glass of water before you have your coffee, and make sure you drink another glass of water before lunch. Do some gentle exercise like a walk around the block and some yoga. If it is sunny outside, have your morning coffee in your garden or on your balcony.
Furthermore, eat a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and slow-burning carbs. Stop drinking soda and energy drinks and you will see a massive improvement in your sleep quality and energy.
Lastly, see your doctor if you have a sleep disorder. You should treat this as you would any other illness. A lack of sleep can affect both your mental and physical health, so there is no need to put it off.
Q. What are some excellent alarm clock brands?
A. Some of the biggest alarm clock brands are Jall, RCA, Travelwey, DreamSky, and Peakeep. There are plenty more alarm clock brands on the market— you can find them with a quick Google search or take a look at our recommendations.