What is the first thing you look at in the morning, and the last thing you lay your eyes on before you go to bed?
It’s probably your phone.
Studies have shown that it’s in our best interest to avoid electronic devices before going to bed because it messes with our circadian rhythm and suppresses melatonin. Not only that, a recent winner of the Nobel Prize found that messing with our sleep schedule can have profound impacts on our health.
Sure, I use the Night Shift tool on my iPhone in order to reduce the amount of blue light in the screen display, but I’d prefer to avoid the screen entirely.
I aim to stay informed and active with everything going on in the world, but I know I am not alone in feeling a rise in anxiety given current events. Between being woken up by a rogue late night texter, getting annoyed at something stupid on social media, or reading a news article that would lead me to tossing and turning, I decided that my phone and I were breaking up for bedtime.
However, while I’d like to say that I just naturally get up with the sun, or that Gene Kelly would pop on over to sing “Good Morning,” I still need an alarm.
We’re in luck! The answer is as clear as day: a good, old-fashioned alarm clock like this one.
Perks?
It’s cute and bright! I ordered mine on Amazon and compared a few different makers for size, price, quality, and manufacturing. You can also find similar ones at stores like Anthropologie, West Elm, and more.
It’s cleaner. Try as we might, our phones are not very clean. It’s like inviting your entire day’s germs to your nightstand. Shudder.
No snooze! You read that right. I know I have to get up and there are no excuses. With this alarm, you snooze and you lose (your job).
No time is wasted looking at my phone and sitting in bed before getting up and starting my day. My eyes can adjust to the natural light and I can check the news once I am ready for the day, or I’ll listen to NPR.
It’s nothing new or groundbreaking, but I think we’re forgetting to let ourselves just be without a phone these days. It’s the same wake-up routine I had before I had a smartphone—and, honestly, it feels pretty smart.
