Striving to be a morning person this year? A sunrise alarm clock will help — here's how

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A woman sitting in bed reading next to a Lumie sunrise alarm clock on top of stack of books on bedside table and pampus grass as she becomes a morning person

(Image credit: Lumie)

If 'become a morning person' is on your list of new year's resolutions, you're not alone. Many people strive to become one of those super humans who workout before work or turn up at the office in high spirits with a coffee in hand. This is where the best sunrise alarm clocks can help.

Unlike tinny-sounding alarms, sunrise alarm clocks take a calm, gentle approach to waking you up. They gradually light up at your desired wake up time making it easier for you to emerge from the comfort of your bed on dark, cold winter mornings.

Sleeping on the best mattress for you and your sleep needs is key to getting quality sleep, but there's a place for sleep tech too. A sunrise alarm clock could be the answer to waking up early AND refreshed. Here's how...

What are the benefits of being a morning person?

Regardless of natural chronotypes which determine whether you are a morning person with a propensity to wake early and get tired in the evening, or a night owl who wakes up later and slower and is wide awake late into the night, many people strive to be a morning person and there's good reason for it. Research presented by the American Psychiatric Association found that being a morning person is associated with better mental health.

Studies also indicate that people who wake up early are more productive and likely to exhibit goal-oriented behavior alongside sharper cognitive functions. This means they perform better at work or school.

A woman with afro hair wearing blue shirt waking up in three quarter bed with grey sheets, stretching our arms

Waking up early can help your body get in sync with natural daylight. As humans we are genetically disposed to sleep when it is dark and wake when it is light. Therefore, waking up early can help you craft a more consistent sleep schedule, which is crucial for overall health.

Most jobs also require us to be up early in the morning, meaning many people don't have a choice but to be a morning person. So, here's how a sunrise alarm clock can make that easier this winter.

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3 ways a sunrise alarm clock can help you get up earlier

Waking you up with more energy and in a better mood, a sunrise alarm clock can help you become an early bird. Here's how.

A woman wearing a pink sleep eye mask and silk pyjamas stretching her arms in bed waking up from quality sleep.

Wakes you up gently

Simulating a sunrise inside your bedroom, a sunrise alarm clock wakes you up gradually with light rather than suddenly with a blaring alarm sound. This is believed to be a more natural wake up call as the light mimics daylight in the morning, and so the natural process of waking up, which can help you feel more well rested.

It also helps you wake up in a better mood as it eliminates the shock of waking up to a jarring sound. Instead you wake up slowly with the dawn simulation and, if you like, gentle nature sounds that can stir you from sleep. This allows your body to reach the end of deep sleep cycles rather than disturbing them, reducing sleep inertia and grogginess upon waking.

Many sunrise alarm clocks also have wind-down features like sunset simulations, guided meditation audios and sleep podcasts, helping your nighttime routine as well as your wake-up one.

A mind racing with anxious thoughts at bedtime is one of the most common disruptors of sleep. Therefore, these calming features offered by sunrise alarm clocks help you destress at the end of the day so you can drift off into a peaceful, restorative sleep.

A man reading a book in bed, lit by the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 in a warm light

Having a well established, calming bedtime routine can promote sleep quality, ensuring you spend enough time in each essential sleep stage. This means you're better rested by the time you need to wake up, making early wake ups much easier.

Boosts energy levels

Gloomy winter mornings can drain your energy and this is where a sunrise alarm clock comes in. Light is the most powerful signal to your body that it's time to wake up. This is why exposing yourself to daylight in the morning is key to regulating your circadian rhythm. A well-regulated circadian rhythm makes it easier to wake up and fall asleep fast.

It also ensures your energy levels peak and dip at the right times in the day. Waking up to light boosts the stress hormone cortisol and suppresses the sleepy hormone melatonin, helping you feel more alert and ready to take on the day. The cortisol spike provided by the light emitted from a sunrise alarm clock makes it easier to get out of bed with ample energy early in the morning.

Eve is a PPA-accredited journalist with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. She is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide and has four years’ experience writing health features and news. She is particularly interested in the relationship between good sleep and overall health. At Tom’s Guide Eve is responsible for coverage and reviews of sleep tech and is our smart and cooling mattress specialist, focussing on brands such as Eight Sleep and Sleep Number. She also covers general mattress reviews, seeks out the best deals to produce tried-and-tested buyer's guides for sleep accessories and enjoys writing in-depth features about sleep health. She has been involved in rigorous testing procedures for mattress reviews in our Sleep Studio and has interviewed experts including sleep doctors and psychologists. When not covering sleep at Tom's Guide, Eve enjoys writing about health and fitness, food and culture.

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