Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Following on Melissa's question here: http://paleohacks.com/questions/9771/how-do-you-blackout-your-windows-to-sleep-better

for those of you who have successfully blacked out your bedroom, how do you get up? I have installed heavy curtains that do a pretty good job of blocking out the light, and my sleep has improved, but problem is that I am still a bit more groggy in the morning that I would prefer to be.

I think if I had a device that would draw the curtains back at around sunrise that would work well -- but I don't think those exist (or would be expensive).

Any thoughts?

flag	asked Sep 8 2010 at 7:09 Patrik♦♦ 12.1k●4●29●81

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I have this idea to build robotic shades on a timer. I might even take an electronics class so I can do this. – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 8 2010 at 18:33

intelli-blinds.co.uk/timer.html – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Sep 8 2010 at 18:35

go to bed earlier! if you are having trouble waking up, you are probably not getting enough sleep.. – Payam Sep 8 2010 at 19:57

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There are obviously complications that arise for people who live in extreme latitudes in regards to daylight duration. "Going to bed earlier" won't help somebody who lives in Alaska or Iceland. – David Csonka Sep 8 2010 at 20:12

My curtains block the dimmer light of nighttime and let in enough daytime light to gently wake me up. – Marnee Oct 25 2011 at 0:06

henny · Answer 1 · 2010-09-08 07:58:33Z UTC

The simplest way is to use a mask and just take it off in the morning when you need to p anyway! As far as the premise that your skin is also sensitive to light, use covers.

Some of my best sleep occurs during a pounding rainstorm. I'm pretty sure my instincts just convince me that there is no point getting up and functioning in that kind of weather anyway.

As far as a device that automatically draws the curtains back in the early morning, just marry a partner that is a morning person!

Matt · Answer 2 · 2010-09-08 08:16:09Z UTC

I will sleep for till noon in a blacked out room and find it very hard to wake up.

Dawn simulating alarm clocks like these are one possibility. They produce a gradually increasing light to mimic the sunrise in your room.

There are a few different brands. I use to have one years ago that seemed to work well, my current room cannot be blacked out though so I use a facemask. Here is some more information from Wikipedia.

Pieter D · Answer 3 · 2010-09-08 08:56:33Z UTC

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I have such a simulated dawn alarm clock, and it works quite well. In summer there's no need for it, but in the winter it is a nice way to wake up. I know a young girl that was very grumpy every morning, but since her mother bought one of these clocks, she feels much better.

related paleohacks thread here

answered Sep 8 2010 at 8:56

Pieter D
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	Hm... is the clock otherwise completely dark, or does it emit (blue spectrum) light? I suppose I could just cover up the lit portion if I need to. – JJ Sep 8 2010 at 14:12
	Never mind, I see them now on Amazon! – JJ Sep 8 2010 at 14:14
	there are orange leds that show the time, but they are adjustable in intensity, so that is ok. – Pieter D Sep 8 2010 at 17:08

PaleoGran · Answer 4 · 2010-09-08 10:45:21Z UTC

This article states that the pineal gland starts secreting melatonin at ca. 9 P.M. It makes sense that going to bed early enough, in order to be asleep by 9 P.M. would help ensure enough rest to get up early.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23052850/ns/health-behavior/

CT · Answer 5 · 2010-09-08 10:19:46Z UTC

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I wish I had this problem....my alarm goes off at 5am every day, or my kids run into my room yelling. So short answer to your question is probably "loud noise"!

answered Sep 8 2010 at 10:19

CT
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Bryan Barksdale · Answer 6 · 2010-09-08 18:47:36Z UTC

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I have a dawn simulator also and just using one lamp or bulb doesn't seem to be enough. I have it hooked up to two lamps and that seems to work but you could increase it to whatever you need using a power strip.

answered Sep 8 2010 at 18:47

Bryan Barksdale
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Fearsclave · Answer 7 · 2010-09-08 22:55:34Z UTC

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A great Paleo alternative would be a computer alarm set to play a very loud bear growl or lion roar...

answered Sep 8 2010 at 22:55

Fearsclave
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Too funny @Fearsclave! – henny Sep 9 2010 at 6:11

Michael · Answer 8 · 2010-09-08 23:01:53Z UTC

use a blue light or get out into the sunlight in the morning to reset one's circadian rhythm. I have a "Apollo goLite blu" which I bought on Dr. Briffa's recommendation. I like it. 15 minutes of blue light works to reset my cycle.

Once you have blacked out your windows, how do you get up?

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