Gadgets

Cool Alarm Clock: Make Mornings A Little Bit Easier

For those who are the furthest thing from morning people imaginable, sleeping through the alarm clock on a regular basis, things are looking brighter. And I mean that literally.

Today, we have dozens of alarm clocks: puzzle alarm clocks, loud alarm clocks, vibrating alarm clocks, dirty message alarm clocks… you name it they’ve got it.

Now, I know I said that I’m not much of a gadget girl, but this alarm clock, the Hammacher Schlemmer Peaceful Progression Wake-Up Clock is by far the coolest thing I have ever seen, heard of, or even imagined.

The Peaceful Progression Wake-Up Clock wakens sleepers on multiple levels, stimulating multiple senses: sight, scent, and sound in a pleasant, non-jarring fashion.

Part One: Light from the alarm grows steadily, starting half an hour before when the alarm is set to go, from a small light to a bright light. I don’t know about you, but I always wake up easier with light - it makes me feel like I’ve had a full night’s sleep, even if it’s a total lie.

Part Two: While the light is heating up, it slowly releases scent from (the included) aromatherapy beads which waken the olfactory senses - makes sense, isn’t it easier to wake up with the smell of a fragrance like perfume or fresh coffee? - and it comes with several different scents or lets you use your own.

Part Three: Fifteen minutes before the desired wake-up time, it starts making noise. Not loud beeping noises, but one of six soft nature sounds. Those sounds become a buzzer at the desired wake-up time, but because you’ve been slowly waking up the whole time, it’s not jarring as alarm clocks often are.

The different features can also be turned off or on, so you can choose which works best for you. And, the system can be used in reverse to help you fall asleep. Sooooo cool. The best part is it’s an affordable $50.