Most of my readers know by now that there is little question that sunlight is an essential element in staying healthy. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is estimated to affect 10 million to 25 million Americans every year -- particularly during December, January and February. This is especially important because we are now entering the peak season for SAD, and there are many months ahead that provide the least amount of sunshine.
SAD symptoms include:
- Desire to oversleep
- Feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out a normal routine
- A craving for sugary and/or starchy foods, usually resulting in weight gain
- Loss of self-esteem
- Difficulty concentrating and processing information
- Tension and inability to tolerate stress
- Decreased interest in sex and physical contact
- Full remission from depression occurs in the spring and summer months
Out of those who are affected with SAD, 60 percent to 90 percent are women. SAD occurs more frequently in people in their 20s. While some experts believe the condition is treatable by conventional therapies like antidepressant drugs, there are less invasive, more simple and inexpensive steps to take to combat the winter blues.
Morning Light Treatment is Best for SAD
Bright light therapy, where special light boxes are used to treat the depression associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is particularly effective when administered first thing in the morning. One study in particular supports that bright-light exposure scheduled immediately upon waking in the treatment of most patients with SAD was most effective.
While light therapy is the most effective way to treat SAD and to feel better during seasons of long dark hours, light is also the safest and most effective way to wake up feeling refreshed and energized. And, I've just found a revolutionary way to restore the waking scenario back to the way it all began -- with the rising of the sun! Poised to revolutionize the alarm clock industry, The Sun Alarm™ SA-2002 provides this ideal way to wake up each morning.
Reap the Benefits of Waking Up Naturally with the Sun Alarm
Like a warm sunrise, the Sun Alarm wakes you naturally, giving you more energy for the day ahead. Combining the features of a traditional alarm clock (digital display, AM/FM radio, beeper, snooze button, etc) with a special built-in light that gradually increases in intensity, this amazing clock simulates a natural sunrise. It also includes a sunset feature where the light fades to darkness over time -- ideal for kids or anyone who has trouble falling asleep.
Plus, if you are a very sound sleeper this alarm will flash and beep at the end of the alarm cycle to assist you with waking. Loaded with special elements you won't find anywhere else, the Sun Alarm clock features:
- Easy-to-read Digital Display
- Battery Back-up
- Super Bright Krypton Bulb
- AM/FM radio
- Snooze button
- Flash & Beeper to assist with waking
- Sunset feature that fades light out over the selected interval of 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes
- Nap Timer that can be activated at intervals from 15 to 120 minutes -- eliminating the need to reset the alarm time.
- Security feature that deters intruders by automatically turning the lamp on at random intervals
- Compact size- about 5"x4.5"x3"
- Works with travel converters
- UL approved transformer
- 90 day Warranty
Why the Sun Alarm Works
Would you pay more attention to your sleep habits if they could help to prevent cancer? Well, they certainly can, so if you feel you need a good excuse to get some quality sleep, this is it. How well you sleep can seriously alter the balance of hormones in your body. This can then disrupt your sleep/wake cycle, also called the circadian rhythm.
According to recent studies, circadian rhythms have been demonstrated to have an effect on who may get cancer, when medical treatments are best administered, as well as who will get pregnant and when.
In relation to sleep and wakefulness, researchers have discovered that differing amounts of light trigger the human body to produce hormones that control when we fall asleep and when we wake up. With the low levels of light utilized in dawn simulation devices, you might wonder how you could actually wake up to it. The answer lies in the fact that human eyes are ultra-sensitive to light in the early morning. As a result of having been in darkness all night long, they are able to perceive and register even the smallest amounts of light.
When our eyes detect this increased level of light, a signal is sent to the brain's pineal gland. The pineal then triggers the production of the hormone serotonin, which causes us to slowly awaken. This natural method of waking leaves us feeling refreshed and energized. At the other end of the circadian scale, the pineal gland, in response to darkness, triggers the production of the hormone melatonin.
People with seasonal affective disorder instinctively shift their melatonin levels with the seasons, paralleling the hibernation patterns of mammals. In patients who had SAD, the duration of melatonin secretion became longer in winter and shorter in summer, just as it occurs in other mammals -- controlling the changes that occur in people when they get depressed in the winter.
Synthetic and natural supplements of melatonin are readily available in this country and may be purchased as a dietary supplement without prescription. However, there is much debate about its safety. Supplemental melatonin should be used with great caution until more is known of its safety and efficacy. I recommend limiting its use to jet lag only.
Conversely to melatonin, artificially produced serotonin cannot be utilized by the body and is completely ineffective. The human brain's blood barrier does not allow synthetically or naturally produced substitutes for the hormone serotonin to enter or be utilized by our brains.
Banish Rude Awakenings with the Sun Alarm Clock
The rude awakenings in modern life certainly contribute to the daily stress we face. More importantly, this type of awakening may fail to support our delicate and complex body systems. Our inability to awaken in today's darkened bedroom created the need for an alarm clock, ergo: the blaring, buzzing, dreaded alarm clock.
Perhaps the worst side effect of an alarm clock is that in some people it can stimulate the fight-or-flight human defense mechanism. Since human beings are biologically programmed to wake up to sunlight, audio awakening devices seem diametrically opposed to our biological needs.
Audio devices of any kind trigger a response of sudden wakefulness causing a quick and disturbing rush of adrenalin. Our body naturally reacts by sending the appropriate fight-or-flight chemicals into our bloodstreams, preparing our body mechanisms to fight or run away.
Since there is nothing to fight and run from when we wake each morning, there is no need for such chemicals to be surging in our bloodstream at this time of day. Nevertheless, most of us still awaken each morning physically and emotionally armed for battle.
Respect Your Internal Alarm Clock with the Sun Alarm
The audio-awakening stimulus has no biological or chemical capacity for such programming, so it must be repeated morning after morning. Some people get into a simple habit of awakening at a certain time of day, but most don't. For those who don't -- audio stimulation must be repeated every morning.
A very important difference between audio awakening and retinal-visual awakening is that the latter actually "sets" our biological clock for awakening. The time you wake up today, by light, is the time your brain and body are now programmed to awaken tomorrow. Once a pattern is established with light-stimulated waking, you'll be more able to wake up at a regular time that has been set by retina-triggered serotonin, regardless of whether you use the Sun Alarm every morning.
Looking for the Prefect Gift -- Order The Soleil Sun Alarm Today!
Now you can get the Sun Alarm Clock for 10% off the retail price at just $79.95! An ideal gift for the hard to buy for person on your gift list, the Sun Alarm allows for undisturbed sleep schedules. Mom and Dad, health conscious friends, and anyone with children will appreciate this revolutionary gift. Plus, its ability to minimize jet lag and compact size make it great for business and leisure travelers alike.
Special Offer -- Order the Sun Alarm and New Controller Together for One Low Price!
While many people enjoy using the Sun Alarm on its own, others may prefer a brighter light. With the SA-300W Controller you can custom select the brightness that works best for your individual needs. For just $39.95, your external lamp will simulate the sunrise and sunset just as with the Sun Alarm! This controller can be used with all lamps up to 300 Watts and WILL ONLY WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH the Sun Alarm
Plus, we are currently offering a very special package price on both the Sun Alarm and the 300W Controller -- order the Sun Alarm 300 W Combo Package for the low price of only $113.00!
