In the fast-paced modern world, realising that time is the most precious commodity is step 1. Step 2 is bringing back the humble alarm clock, time’s greatest guardian and ally. The way you wake up sets the tone for the rest of your day, so being intentional about how you do so is extremely important.
The single best way to make an improvement to your morning routine is by getting yourself a great alarm clock—no, your phone doesn’t do the job. Let us explain why…
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Why Your Alarm App Is Satan.
When you’re awakened by your phone, one of two things typically happen for most of us. You press that big appealing orange Snooze button- disaster, or you begin scrolling social media and email inboxes for what you’ve missed while in the land of nod. This is due to a strong habit loop you’ve likely built (read our book review of James Clear’s Atomic Habits here). You must acknowledge how unnatural it is to wake up with messy hair and smelly breath and immediately compare yourself to hundreds of other ‘perfect’ people on Instagram. It is equally demoralising to be instantly pummelled with the list of tasks from your email inbox while you’re still horizontal. Scroll the apps when you choose to, not while you’re in a state of unconscious delirium.
Suppose you leave your phone in an inaccessible location, out of reach from your bed. While it may be harder to hit the snooze button, having the device in your hand at all puts you at the mercy of your addiction and the well-entrenched habit loops that often lead to mindless scrolling. Use an alarm clock instead and intentionally delay turning on your phone until later in the day. At the very least, make a habit of brushing your teeth first!
Stop Snoozing!
There are the obvious reasons for why you shouldn’t snooze your alarm: you’ll be late, increase stress levels by rushing, and disrupt your morning routine. However, it is the less commonly thought-of consequences that may have the most significant knock-on effects on your workday.
There is a significant body of research on the snooze button, and the findings aren’t favourable folks. Upon waking up, although it may not feel like it, your brain is ready to go. Snoozing the alarm and drifting back to sleep confuses this process, allowing your brain to enter a new sleep cycle. Interrupting this new sleep cycle 5-10 minutes later when the snoozed alarm rings again puts you in a state of sleep inertia, which can take around 4 hours to snap out of. This results in feelings of grogginess and reduced productivity for the rest of the day- not as innocent as it once seemed! Pick a time to start your day and stick to it; build that personal trust. It’s the first example in your day of showing up for yourself—the first easy-to-grab win, the low-hanging fruit.
Take advantage of this. By not snoozing, you contribute subconsciously to a positive internal monologue that shapes how you describe yourself. Create a positive story, and you’ll notice that positivity seeps into everything for the rest of your day.
Our Recommendations: Top 5
What better way to prevent unconscious snoozing than by using an alarm clock that requires you to stand on it for 5 seconds to turn it off? This alarm clock takes the form of a stylish rug that you place on the floor next to your bed, complete with an LED display for the time and the added function of a night light. When this alarm rug goes off in the morning, the only way to silence it is by planting your feet on it, as your weight activates the off switch. This innovative approach not only adds a functional and aesthetic element to your bedroom but also proves to be an undoubtedly effective way to break the habit of snoozing – it’s simply not an option here.
When you conjure an image of an alarm clock, the default mental soundtrack often features an intrusive BEEP BEEP BEEP, capable of jolting you to your very core. The sunrise alarm clock will revolutionize the way you think about waking up. This clock imitates the way in which our earliest ancestors would have begun their days, cued by the rising of the sun. For 30 minutes before the time of your ‘alarm,’ the clock begins a gradual brightening process from warm dim light to a bright white light, mimicking a risen sun. All of these light settings are fully customisable to your personal preferences, along with the additional, more traditional audio cue that can be added if required. Even this will more gently ease you into consciousness, as the BEEP can be replaced with crescendoing sounds of nature. The Sunrise alarm clock also has night light features, and you can program white noise/coloured mood lighting to help you drift off to sleep the night before. This alarm clock is essential to not only your mornings but your bedtime routine as well.
Kogonee Wooden Digital Alarm Clock
If you haven’t got the message by now, just get yourself an alarm clock and ditch the phone. The Kogonee wooden digital alarm clock is a cheap alternative to using your phone. This lifestyle change doesn’t have to be expensive, and with this clock, you even make a trendy little addition to your bedroom aesthetic. Win-win.
Why does an alarm clock have to be something that sits on a bedside table at all? The Shock Clock 3 is another device that will make you rethink what an alarm clock is. This device is a wearable wristband that wakes you up with a rigorous yet silent vibration. It’s a genius solution for those who share a bed and don’t want to wake a partner, for individuals who are hard of hearing, or for those who are simply extremely deep sleepers. Never be late again with the Shock Clock 3.
Meet Amazon’s own answer to the traditional alarm clock – the Amazon Echo Dot. Perhaps you’re familiar with Amazon’s Echo range or already have a device, establishing a rapport with their helpful AI, Alexa. This voice-activated device extends beyond being a mere alarm clock; it’s more of a bedroom companion. Once the Echo Dot wakes you up, it can seamlessly transition to providing you with weather updates, the latest news, and even playing your favourite tunes as you prepare for the day. With stellar reviews, we believe you’ll share the same enthusiastic opinion as you explore how the Amazon Echo Dot can enhance your daily routine.
Conclusion
With one of these alarm clocks you’ll ensure you don’t lose that first battle of the day. Get off to a positive start and set yourself up for success for the rest of the day. It is a relatively small adjustment you can make to your morning routine which has potential for huge lifestyle changes. Simple and reliable, one of these alarm clocks is an essential for any commuter, try it for yourself. Be the kind of person who jumps out of bed, not the kind who drifts back off on the train to snoozeville, your commute awaits.