You've cut down on caffeine, hit the hay by 11 every night and consistently catch 7-9 hours of Z's (lucky you). So why in the name of Serta do you still feel exhausted in the morning? Chances are it's not the way you're sleeping that's the problem, but the way you're waking up. If you're tired of diving headlong and half-awake into your day, you could be suffering from sleep inertia, otherwise known as that groggy feeling that's hard to shake after being awoken abruptly. Learn more about sleep inertia here.
Wake peacefully with one of our favourite alarm clocks
Hammacher Schlemme Peaceful Progression Wake-Up Clock, $50, takes its job very seriously, slowly stirring all your senses by emitting light, scent and soothing sounds over a thirty-minute period before finally setting off a buzzer at your preferred wake-up time.
Verilux Rise & Shine Natural Alarm Clock Bedside Lamp , $150. Choose from eight digitally mastered recordings of relaxing nature sounds, from birds to breeze, which will help reduce stress and elevate your mood as the lamp brightens to signal the start of your day. It even comes with a pillow speaker so you can roll out without waking your bed buddy.
Soleil Sun Alarm, $90. Count on this dawn simulator to get your serotonin levels pumping and face the day feeling energized and refreshed.
BioBrite Digital SunRise Clock , $120, wakes you the way nature intended by filling your room with low-intensity light 15-90 minutes before you're up and at 'em.
If the morning sun makes you want to pull the covers over your head, make like a monk and say "serenity now" instead. The Now & Zen Digital Zen Alarm Cloc, $100, helps you harness your chi with long-resonating acoustic chimes set in a stylish solid hardwood case.
