Something like 200 million years of instinct built up over time into my DNA tells me that when my alarm goes off at around 6AM and it is absolutely pitch black outside, I should go back to sleep. The only thing awake out there is saber tooth tigers, and they will kill me because I can't see them, but they can see me. Just go back to sleep. Do it. Go back to sleep.
But the beeping alarm reminds me about the shit modern world we live in where I have to drag my ass off to work and sit at a fucking desk all day, so I eventually rouse and head to the shower.
If only it wasn't so dark!
Enter the simulated sunrise alarm clock.
You can spend a few hundred bucks or you can spend thirty. You'll get basically the same plastic crap from China either way.
I spent thirty.
Last night, I set the alarm clock. This morning at 5:30 the clock lit up just ever so slightly. Then it got slowly brighter and brighter over the next 30 minutes. Finally after 30 minutes, it was at peak brightness, and gentle wave sounds started playing.
I had stirred from my sleep when the light was just a little bit bright and the alarm hadn't sounded yet. I dozed back off. Then I stirred from my sleep again and was in that awake but not quite awake state as the light got a little brighter. Then bit later, the alarm sounded and I was awake and alert. Getting up was easy.
How bright is the light? Not super bright. Kind of like a desk lamp shining in your face if you have it on your bedside table. It's probably not bright enough if you have it across the room.
