A little bit in love with Lumie Bodyclock

I’d been looking at complementary sleep related products recently and had always been fascinated by how hormones affect sleep quality. I don’t often do product reviews but when the offer of a Lumie Bodyclock was presented, I was more than intrigued.

The Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 is the original wake-up light. Also knows as a dawn simulator, it’s concept is that it cleverly wakes you up by gradually increasing its natural light.

This gradual wake up gives your body the time to reduce the production of Melatonin (sleep hormones) and increase Cortisol which is what helps you get up and go. They say that wake-up lights help to keep your sleep cycle on track; boosting your mood, energy and productivity levels all day long.

First impressions

It arrived all neatly boxed up, with the special lightbulb separate, which means removing the top to insert. I got out the instructions, plugged it in, and we were ready to go.. simples!

Lumie-review

It has already taken pride of place on my bedside table, I particularly like the clean, crisp white feel of it.

 

There are only two things I wasn’t so sure about; first is the lead for the radio which makes an otherwise sleek looking item, look a little untidy. The other is the front screen that glows a little too bright when it’s dark, I would have liked a brightness setting for this.

As hopefully you can see from the pictures the light levels can vary; it is relaxing to sit with as it slowly dims, especially when it’s been a hectic day. I haven’t yet experienced a prolonged sunrise experience as I am still in school run mode and tend to wake up quickly but I enjoy the sound of the dawn chorus and I particularly love the sound of waves and find it quite mesmerising.

I’ve been increasingly interested in personal training and healthy living of late too, so learning that waking in this way helps you to feel more refreshed and motivated for training was exciting, as well as knowing that it can reset my internal rhythm to make sleeping easier too. This will be interesting in the coming summer holidays; lightboxes can speed the recovery from jet lag symptoms so I wonder how this will work with the different waking up times when the school run isn’t needed.

Interestingly, an additional benefit is for my 8 year old who finds it relaxing to listen to the waves and the white noise which has helped her nod off quicker than usual – she has also been enjoying the radio first thing! Justin Bieber first thing anyone?

I have to say this is something I have fancied investing in for a while and I am delighted to have been able to review it – based on my experience it’s money well-spent.

Features included

  • 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute sunrise to wake naturally
  • 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute sunset to wind down for bed
  • FM radio with digital tuning
  • White noise setting to mask sounds that might keep you awake
  • Dawn chorus or rooster call sounds to enhance your sunrise
  • Wave sounds to lull you to sleep
  • Sun ray effect
  • Dimmable lighting for use as a bedside light
  • Nightlight feature
  • Snooze feature
  • Security option to turn on the light randomly while you’re away
  • Back-ups: optional alarm beep, power failure back-up

 

You can buy a Lumie Active 250 from Lumie.com/bodyclock-active-250

Thanks to Cara Sayer, inventor of the SnoozeShade, for her fabulous review and photos.