Analog vs Digital – Which Is The Best Alarm Clock?

By Mitch Rice

Do you frequently wake up later than you should have? That means you have a mad scramble ahead of you – tidying up, showering, grabbing a quick breakfast and rushing out to work. Or you may have an important meeting that you simply can’t afford to be late for, and arriving late can be disastrous. Missing flights, trains or your car-pool can be inconvenient and expensive. If you’re a homemaker, you need to get your exercise, plus ensure that the kids go off to school on time.

The solution is to use a reminder or alarm clock that you can set to a comfortable time and it will help you to be on time every time. 

We are talking about the ideal situation here, and not about all those times when you hit the snooze button and drop right back to sleep!

Today you have a variety of time keeping aids such as your watch, phone, tablet or computer, besides conventional analog and digital clocks. 

Why Do We Struggle To Wake Up?

Sleep and waking up are complex physiological processes that are affected by a variety of factors. You may find it difficult to sleep if you’re worried, anxious, ill, hungry, have too much caffeine, or you’re excited about a future event. Waking up happens when the brain’s Reticular Activating System kicks in and sends a wake-up message to your body and brain. If you’re in deep sleep, you may not hear the alarm, or you may wake up in a groggy state. 

We also have our own internal body clocks that signal when to wake up. If you maintain a consistent cycle of sleep/wake-up, it helps to regulate your body’s response to sleeping and waking up. Some home-owners install sunrise clocks that imitate a gentle sunrise in the room which triggers the body’s natural reaction to light. 

You may be using your phone alarm as a wake-up signal. Current studies have shown that this can be harmful because of the blue light generated by the screen. Having the phone within easy reach tempts you to check your mail,  or scroll through your social media or news feed, wasting precious minutes of your morning routine. Get more information here :  https://restanddigest.com.au/products/analog-alarm-clock/

Wake Up To An Alarm Clock

Waking up to your morning alarm can become a convenient, easy habit. While it seems simple, you need to prepare your body and mind for it. Getting enough sleep is essential. We all have different sleep needs, but in general, at least 7 hours of sleep are required for the average adult. 

If you find yourself reluctant to wake up in the mornings, or you’re hitting the snooze button too many times, it’s a clear sign that you haven’t had enough sleep. This is called sleep debt, and you may need to work it off over a weekend so that you start the week ahead in a fresh and rested way. 

Lack of sleep leads to build up of neurotoxins in the body. Suppressing the body’s natural melatonin release by deliberately staying awake can cause conditions such as depression or anxiety in the long run. You may gain weight and risk obesity. 

It’s also important to understand your chronotype – are you a night owl or a morning lark?

If you have a medical condition such as sleep apnea, or your partner snores too loudly, if you have iron deficiency, or restless leg syndrome, you have to get treated by a qualified doctor. 

Listen to your body, and identify your “melatonin window” when you feel most sleepy. 

Set your alarm clock to produce a pleasant, yet persistent tone. Avoid unduly loud and shocking bursts of sound that can increase your blood pressure or heart rate. 

Analog or Digital Clock?

Both types of clock have their own advantages and disadvantages. Digital clocks have their own lights, they are easy to read and are precise to the second. 

Analog clocks make it easier to estimate time left or time elapsed. They are more elegant and aesthetically attractive, adding class and sophistication to your interior decor. You don’t need batteries that may run out. Analog clocks don’t need to be recharged, as most of them are mechanical instruments. In case there’s a power outage, your analog clock will still continue to faithfully mark time and do its job. 

If you’re trying to reduce your dependence on digital devices, switching to an analog alarm clock is a great first step. 

Analog clocks are the ideal device for people with disabilities such as ADHD. These clocks give a realistic concept of the passage of time, and help the person to understand the past (elapsed time) present (current time) and future (time left) for an event. Persons with ADHD may suffer from what is known as “time blindness” or a reduced awareness of how time passes. Analog clocks are a realistic and tangible portrayal of the movement of time, and they give more control over time management. 

They communicate much more time related information than digital clocks. Waking up to an analog clock alarm helps you to focus on your schedule for the day more easily. 

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.