I don’t know about you, but ever since the holidays (when later wakeup times are entirely acceptable) I have really been struggling to wake up on time. Combine that with the Earth’s *actual* later sunrise times in December and January and it’s a perfect cocktail for missing those morning meetings. YIKES. (Good thing I make my own schedule and these are few and far between).
But – even with the ability to avoid early morning meetings, trying to keep on track with a steady workout routine does unfortunately mean waking up early on certain days of the week! So instead of fighting with my iPhone alarm in the winter months, I wanted to try a new type of alarm clock. Having learned from vacations in the past that I wake up much more peacefully when I have direct sunlight smacking me in the face, I wanted to replicate that. Plus, motorized window treatments are on the pricier side. Sunrise alarm clock it is.
I had heard that sunrise alarm clocks give you the option to wake you up with light, sound, or both. I was ready to pull the trigger. I just kept forgetting to hit checkout. Luckily, my lovely husband (and tech pro behind this blog) got me the Hatch Restore for Christmas, and I finally plugged it in after the holidays. But then the question became – would the Hatch revolutionize my mornings? Would it help me start my day off right? Let’s get into it. But first, what is this cute little egg-shaped thing?
What is a Hatch Light?
The Hatch Restore is a uniquely shaped, compact-sized sunrise alarm clock that’s been designed with waking up well in mind. It gives off a soft, natural light that gradually increases in intensity to mimic the sun rising. (Awesome, right?!) This allows you to wake up naturally rather than being jolted awake by an abrupt sound or buzzing noise. Sorry, iPhone.
How Does the Sunrise Alarm Work?
The Hatch Restore uses advanced technology to monitor your sleep cycles throughout the night. Based on this data, it can calculate the optimal time for you to wake up in the morning, allowing you to feel more rested and energized when you start your day. In addition, if you are having trouble falling asleep at night, there are various sound machine settings included with the device that can help lull you into a deep slumber relatively easily. I still haven’t settled on a sound I absolutely love, so I use the sleep assistance function maybe two, three times a week.
It is also beneficial if you struggle with insomnia (or are drinking just a little too much coffee after 3pm), as its sound-machine option can help on those nights that sleep isn’t happening easily. Furthermore, its sleep tracking capabilities allow you to see how your habits are impacting you overall health and well-being over time.
All in all, if you’re looking for a cool new way to make sure that you’re waking up feeling refreshed each morning, then look no further than the Hatch Restore (Restore 2 coming soon). With its combination of advanced technologies and customizable settings, it certainly beats the harsh wake up of a normal alarm. But if you *really* need those loud, buzzing sounds to get your day started, Hatch has “Retro Alarm” and “Beep Beep” options for you to try, too. Yes – you still can hit snooze too many times and wake up late, but slowly waking up to light and sound has been far more pleasant in these cold winter months and I’m sure I’ll be using this through the rest of the year, too.