I have a love/ hate relationship with this time of year.
I love taking walks in the woods and kicking fallen leaves. I love being able to snuggle up on the sofa on cooler nights. I love wearing jumpers, skirts, thick tights and boots.
I hate that it is dark when Mr H wakes up in the mornings. I hate the lack of sunlight. I hate that the evenings are closing in.
This means that I am dreading this weekend when the clocks go back. I may get an hour extra in bed on Sunday (although toddlers don’t really understand daylight savings). But I have to look forward to losing an hour of daylight. Shudder!
I have never been a morning person. It is the bane of Mr H’s life that he can’t get me to go to bed at a reasonable time at night and he can’t get me out of bed in the mornings. I want to hibernate and stay warm and cosy under my duvet.
In short, I always find it harder to be upbeat and cheery at this time of year. I do think that my depression is affected by S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I eagerly await Springtime. The thought of warm sunshine and lighter mornings and evenings bring a smile to my face.
Over the years, various people (my mum included; I SHOULD always listen to my mum) have suggested I try a Lumie Wake-up SAD Light. But I always dismissed their suggestion and remained faithful to my phone alarm clock.
Then back in June, I attended Britmums Live 2015 and I met a lovely lady from Lumie. During our conversation, I mentioned that my depression gets worse in the autumn and winter months and is affected by the change of daylight hours. She suggested that Lumie send me their Bodyclock STARTER 30 to try.
Lumie Bodyclock STARTER 30 review
I must admit that the idea of waking naturally as my room was filled with light sounded very romantic and lovely. But I wasn’t convinced that it would be practical.
I was wrong. I love waking up to a room filled with natural light. I wake up ready to face the day ahead and feeling more alert (which never usually happens).
The Bodyclock is helping my depression. Normally at this time of year, my mood gets lower and lower. Until I enter into a month of feeling miserable in November. I still have my down days. But they are fewer than normal.
What we love about the Lumie Bodyclock STARTER 30?
- The Lumie Bodyclock STARTER 30 includes everything you will need. Including a 42 Watt halogen bulb. If and when you need replacement bulbs then you can buy them from the Lumie online shop.
- The Bodyclock is very easy to set up. It only takes a few minutes and the instructions explain the process clearly.
- The sunset function which helps calm you down ready for sleep is fantastic (I wish it wasn’t over so quickly).
- The digital display dims, once you have set the alarm for the next morning. This is ingenious as I often find digital clocks intrusive at night.
- There is the option of setting a sound alarm, if you don’t trust that the light will wake you.
- The sunrise wakes you gently over 30 minutes. Which is a lovely and gradual way to wake up on these dark and dismal mornings.
- The light can be used as a bedside light and I love the halo effect the light creates on our wall. You can also control the intensity of the light so it can be brighter for reading or dimmer for simply dozing in bed.
What we didn’t love about the Lumie Bodyclock STARTER 30?
- Mr H isn’t a fan. But he is a cynic and I don’t think he will ever use anything other than his phone alarm clock.
If, like me, you find yourself struggling as the mornings and evenings get darker, then a Lumie Wake-up SAD Light is just what you need. It has lightened my mood and helped me to wake up brighter. I am now considering investing in one of the Lumie SAD Light Therapy Lamps to lift my mood in the coming winter months.
Do you have a Lumie wake-up Light? Does it help you to wake-up brighter? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Hugs
Mrs H
xxxx
P.S. Don’t forget that the clocks go back at 2 a.m. on Sunday 25th October 2015. Enjoy your extra hour in bed!
I was sent the Lumie Bodyclock STARTER 30 for the purposes of this review but all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
14 Comments
Tom
November 13, 2015 at 2:28 pmI really like my Philips, a little more expensive but looks a lot more stylish. Work really well and does the job! Do you have a SAD light too?
Heledd - Running in Lavender
November 8, 2015 at 11:58 pmOoh love Lumie clocks!! Especially at this time of year, I get really grumpy when I have to get up in the dark so the light alarm really works for me and my hubby.
Angela at Daysinbed
November 3, 2015 at 12:17 pmThis does look great! I am actually looking for an alarm clock as i’ve been using my phone and thats annoying as it always beeps or vibrates through the night because I’m a blogger…so it needs turning off and a new alarm buying.
Angela
Polly Davies
November 2, 2015 at 10:30 pmInteresting to read this. I have one of these, haven’t taken it out of hte box yet as my baby always wakes up lots and I don’t have need for an alarm atm! But will def be trying it out when he’s a bit bigger!
Ally Mother Under Measure
November 2, 2015 at 10:29 pmThis looks perfect for me! I’m exactly the same as you, that first few minutes after waking up can be the difference between a good day and a bad. It’s really difficult trying to pick yourself up after waking up feeling dark and gloomy isn’t it? This looks great, I think I’ll be asking for one for Christmas… Glad it’s working for you, I hope it makes this winter bearable xx
ali
November 2, 2015 at 9:26 pmI love the idea of this, especially if I was relying on an alarm clock. I get woken by the toddler most mornings now though so it would be hard knowing when to set it. Hope it helps you through November x
Lisa from Lisa's Life
November 2, 2015 at 6:54 pmI wrongly presumed these didn’t have an audible alarm and now I want one! 🙂 x
Jess
November 2, 2015 at 4:10 pmI really need a clock in my room, I end up just grabbing my phone and the light is far too bright! My Mum is the same with feeling low this time of year, I prefer it actually, although not when Abbie wakes up at 5.30 like this morning and I have to wait a whole hour till the sun comes up zzzz x
Joanna
November 2, 2015 at 4:00 pmI have wanted one of these clocks for ages now. I hate how dark it is this time of year so these are ideal for helping u get up in the morning.
Chloe
November 2, 2015 at 2:52 pmthis product actually sounds amazing, I need it in my life. Like you I struggle big time this time of the year, may have to look into getting one of these to try. thank you x
Jenna
November 2, 2015 at 1:24 pmI know exactly what you mean, Lucy. This time of year my mood usually plummets but we have Lumie clocks in our room and the difference it has made to our mornings is amazing. I couldn’t be without mine now. The Mr says that he finds getting up in the morning that little bit easier too.
Great review and photos. 🙂 xx
Nin
November 2, 2015 at 11:30 amOooh this seems like a great idea! I used to do this in my old Uni room, I never slept with the blind down and woke up with the day, it really helped keep my sleep pattern in line in final year. We don’t do it now because OH must have the curtains closed but this might be a good compromise. Especially as I seem to be alarm deaf, haha.
Claire
October 26, 2015 at 10:22 pmI’d love to try this – I do so much better when I get my fill of natural light!
Mrs H
October 27, 2015 at 9:16 pmThanks for your comment Claire. I am exactly the same. I really struggle with the winter months and the lack of light. But the Lumie Bodyclock STARTER 30 has made a real difference. I love waking up to natural light. Hugs Mrs H xxxx