Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light, Colored Sunrise and Sunset Simulation, 5 Natural Sounds, FM Radio & Reading Lamp, Tap Snooze, HF3520/60

I have an alarm clock with a light on it. 30 minute before the alarm goes off it comes on really dim and gets brighter and brighter. If I went to bed at a reasonable time, the light will wake me up.. if not, the alarm wakes me up, but the light helps me want to get out of bed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0093162RM

You could do it with smart bulbs and stuff, but that seems like overkill unless you're already into all that stuff.

There are a ton of other options for clocks like that, it's just the one I happened to land on many years ago.

This alarm clock that lights up gently like a sunrise so you wake up as it brightens instead of to some terrible sound from your phone. I feel so much better waking up in the mornings. It’s on sale right now, you can also find cheaper versions.

Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock with Colored

Sunrise Simulation and Sunset Fading Night Light, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093162RM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VrZfFbPBTTRTD

I have an older version of this one.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093162RM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_btf_t1_v2EIFbMRENHJ4

I kind of wish mine would die so I could justify buying this one. The main difference is this one has colors. Also this one supposedly never needs to have the bulb replaced. I've been using mine for almost 8 years and it is amazing in every way. You do have to adjust to waking up to light instead of a jarring noise, but since this is what your body is programed to do, it's not as hard as you think.

I also agree with one of the other posts about drinking water before bed. It's a nice little trick to wake up easier / be motivated to get out of bed.

This is the one I have. I've had two actually. The first one stopped working as designed, so I returned it to Phillips and they sent me a brand new one that I haven't had any issues with.

I think amazon. It was probably around 7-8 years ago. One of the buttons is a bit finicky, but aside from that it hasn't even needed the globe changed.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM

It'd certainly be a newer model by now, and iirc about the same price, but if I factor in the years of service so far, it's ~$20 a year.

This Philips alarm clock changed my life.

I still set a phone alarm as a backup but it really has improved my life and waking up.

I have this ridiculous thing and its been life changing

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM?ref_=ast_sto_dp

A alarm clock with a wake up light.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM/

A possible solution could be getting one of those LED lamp wake up clock thingies. Basically they are designed to wake you up at a certain time by lighting up a really bright light. I was thinking of one of these I have one and it is great!

There are lots of different natural light alarm clocks. If you type "natural light alarm clocks" into a search bar in Amazon you'll find a big choice with prices to suit all budgets. This is the one I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=natural+light+alarm+clock&qid=1607350289&sr=8-7

They are much better than a horrible noise jerking you awake although I'd recommend a gentle noise alarm set as a back-up until you get used to the light one. It's a much nicer wake-up.

Oh yes, absolutely take care of the morning chores the night before - it's so much easier when all you have to do is get out of bed and everything is waiting for you. I lay out everything - even my hairbrush!

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM This might help. Happy sleeping.

I'd say it does. Seasonal Effective Disorder comes on so gradually that you don't realize it's effecting you until a week or two goes by and you can't remember that last time you felt energized. As a result, I probably don't use it as much as I should. That said, just having it on while watching TV or doing work around the house seems to help. Putting your head up against it however does feel like your sitting outside on a sunny day.

I use this one. Kind of expensive, but lack of sunshine really bothers me. Unfortunately I didn't realize it until I was in my 30's.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=sun+lamp+clock&qid=1579879279&sr=8-17

This is the one I have:

Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock with Colored Sunrise Simulation and Sunset Fading Night Light, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093162RM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xTyjFbKWNX7WA

Expensive, but worth every penny.

We have this sunrise Alarm clocks! Starts lighting up at 5, we get up at 530 with the sun, even when its pitch dark. Helps soooo much.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093162RM/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AwEAAAAAAAAAAUJt

This has a sunset/sunrise simulator. It is amazing. I own this lamp. It really does mimic a gorgeous sunset.

Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Colored Sunrise Simulation and Sunset Fading Night Light, White (HF3520) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093162RM/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_KITmEbGR5D3DS

I have this one from Phillips and it gets nice and bright! It does a good job mimicking the sunrise because the light color also changes from a red to a bright yellow. I've had it for about 2 years and it was a very worthwhile purchase.

If you don't want to go the smart-bulb route, I got this nifty wake-up lamp alarm clock a year or two ago and it's awesome. Along with a "sunrise" there are also softly chirping birds that gradually get louder lol

I don't see that anyone else mentioned it, but they make "sunrise" alarms (yikes, this one is expensive though) where it's an orb that starts getting bright very very slowly, coming to full bright about when your alarm is about to go off. This allows you to "wake up naturally" with the sun.

A caveat though, I never did get one, so I cannot verify that it works or doesn't work.

I think I have an older one that was a bit more expensive.

Here is the one I use:

Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Colored Sunrise Simulation and Sunset Fading Night Light, White (HF3520) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093162RM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mLWmEb2XXWAKY

Here you go, this is the one I have:

It's specifically the Philips SmartSleep HF3520

Phillips Hue Lamp

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM

This is the one I have. Your body naturally wakes up when there is light, you might notice this if the sun shines on you on a weekend there you intend to sleep till noon but become awake at 7 AM instead because of the sun.

If you like me have to wake up before the sun rises these lights wake up and you feel more rested because of naturally waking up.

I would not recommend getting a Phillips due to the increase in quality not being worth the extra $50-60. I would recommend getting some Phillips hue light bulbs and setting them up with the Sleep Cycle app. It analyzes your sleep through and finds the part where you get out of REM so you feel more awake when you wake up. If you have some Phillips Hue light bulbs you can set them to light up instead of your phone alarm going off. This is the absolute best way to wake up at the right time for your body IMO.

Phillips hue lightbulbs are a bit expensive but totally worth it since light is one of the most important things to make a room feel nice and welcoming.

Sorry for the rant, you can do some more research yourself, I highly recommend it.

Our environments have huge psychological impacts, and improving the lighting in my office and house have been game-changers. It's boosted my productivity, overall mood/well-being/comfort, and my sleep schedule (something I've always struggled with). I also don't feel the drag of seasonal affective disorder in the winter anymore.

I'm really glad I did (or do) these things:

• Swapped out the cheap, blue-tinted fluorescent tubes above my office desk with nicer full-spectrum/daylight ones
• Use a cheap little sun lamp at my desk when I need a boost
• Use one of these light therapy alarm clocks to wake up in the morning, which is wonderful
• Taking a vitamin D supplement in the morning
• Got some office plants

Hey, never been gifted before!

But the best thing that I have bought on Amazon was this alarm clock. I kinda suck at waking up in the morning (esp as a student) but this really helped me a lot! It's my own personal rising sun except it has sound and music. Highly recommend to anyone who has trouble getting up in the morning like meee!!

link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/W6NZKT0AL45C?ref_=wl_share

great idea to not use your phone. Check out something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM

This is an expensive version but google around and you'll find cheaper ones, simulates dawn light for a gentler awakening

Lumie Bodyclock
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AKDZ6ME/
Philips Wake-Up Light https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0093162RM/

I was looking for the same thing, after doing some research went with this one. Best bang for your buck in my conclusion, and good reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081CHLF46/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's the Philips one, which may be better, but for the price, I don't think it's worth.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM

I'd try out the first one I linked, and if it doesn't work for you, easy return with Amazon. Cheers!

Let me introduce you two things that you didn't know you needed:

This cheap little thingy: https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Reading-Fold-n-Stow-Bookstand-Countertops/dp/B07QMRBZN2/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=book+stand&qid=1578598518&sr=8-10

And this thing: https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Simulation-Headspace-Subscription-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=philips+alarm&qid=1578598595&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExREwzRktWWEw1NVczJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODg0NjAwM0JRVklIMzlUV0EwQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjg5MTA4MkQwODM0N0RSUEpSSiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

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Besides these, I'm thinking about a Thinkpad X1 for the amazing keyboard and a sturdy book bag. Maybe two fitted suits.

(Part 2)
Screen time and Lighting

Humans are incredibly influenced by light. Enough to merit a special section in my answer. Exposure to blue end of the visible spectrum triggers your body chemically to wake up (it's daytime!) and the yellow end of the visible spectrum triggers your body to wind down (the sun is setting). You can use this phenomenon to make some important changes. The list below is roughly how. You don't need to do all of it. Things closer to the top of the list are more important and effective than things at the bottom.

Falling asleep

• Enable "Night Mode" on all your devices that have a screen - most modern operating systems have one. This allows the operating system to turn off the "blue" parts of the LED on your screen at night. You'll know it's working if your screen looks more yellow at night.
• Avoid looking at bright LED screens for an hour or so before you go to bed.
• Keep your room dark. Use blackout curtains. No, your gaming PC does not belong in the bedroom.
• If you really have to look at a screen, I recommend wearing blue light blocker glasses. They are cheap and extremely effective. I use these because they make me look hella stylish. I also have a reminder go off on my Alexa at 6:30 pm to wear them by default. That way, if I am out for a walk and encounter a blaring neon LED sign, my head doesn't explode.
• If you can afford smart lighting, turn all your lighting to be yellow in the evenings. If you have Philips Hue lights, you can also setup your lights to gradually dim as the evening fades into night signalling your body to slow down as well.

Waking up

• Open your curtains as soon as you wake up. If you sleep in a room where you can't do it without waking up other people (or pets), then take a peek out any way you can - take a 30 second walk out the door if you have to. This is a powerful stimulant for your body.
• Once again, if you can afford smart lighting, turn all your lighting to be bright white in the mornings. This includes the necessary blue components of the light spectrum.
• Use an alarm that simulates sunrise (e.g: this). By introducing light slowly, your body naturally gradually wakes out of REM cycles instead of being startled by a conventional alarm. Note that this will not work if you share the bed with someone who doesn't have the same sleep cycle as you.
• If your circumstances permit it, use a blue light for 30 minutes. (maybe during meditation practice).

A final note on sleep trackers: All sleep trackers are approximate and have error rates.
I've used different trackers simultaneously that recorded different data for the same night. Read into the data with a grain of salt. It's more important to notice patterns in sleep ("I slept less on average in the last three days than usual") than specific numbers ("I slept 7 hours and 3 minutes today"). Any error in sleep measurement that is intrinsic to the device is maintained every night. So trends are less error prone than specific data.
I've used the Oura ring to track my sleep patterns. It is decent. Knowing how I slept helps me understand how I should set expectations for the day. I used to have a fitbit. I disconnected it when the big G bought fitbit.

Happy Zzzzs.