Checking Our List: Verilux Rise & Shine Natural Wake-Up Light {Review}

I don't understand morning people. The idea that they are up and ready to go first thing in the morning all happy and chipper... is that really normal?

Me on the other hand, I'm not a fan of mornings. Sometimes when my alarm clock goes off, I feel like my heart is going to stop. The jolt of the noise that rips me from my warm, cozy dreams is one of my least favorite things and is that really the experience that I want to start off my day?

Instead, a much more peaceful, calming and all-around more pleasant way to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day is here, thanks to the Rise & Shine Natural Wake-Up Light from Verilux.

Based on the properties of aligning the body's circadian rhythms that regulate normal sleeping and waking patterns, the Rise & Shine Wake-Up Light provides cues to fall asleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized. Sounds pretty nice, doesn't it?

Opening up this innovative device, I was pleased to see that the 12” x 9” x 6” size wasn't as large as I had been imagining. Instead, this is just right for placing on your nightstand and having it not take up an extremely large amount of room or be unpleasant to look at. And, when it came to the initial setup, I was happy to find that it was an extremely easy process. Simply pop off the domed top and screw in the included light bulb and you're ready to begin choosing your settings.

As all of the buttons are labeled and easily accessible right on the front of the base, setting the time and alarm options are done with a matter of clicks. Along with the options for the sleep and wake features, I was glad to see that there is a high quality FM radio sound system included as well - who doesn't like to listen to some music or their favorite radio talk show now and again?

The concept of the Rise & Shine Wake-Up Light is all based on the idea of progressively waking up (as opposed to that annoying jolt of a traditional alarm clock). By including a 15 minute wake-up program and a sleep mode feature with your choice of a 5, 15, 30 or 60 minute time period, you are able to naturally get your body used to the day or night.

With 20 levels of brightness for the light and volume, waking up in the morning begins quietly and gradually increases until your chosen levels have been reached. Setting one of the dual alarms gives you all of the options to choose from (time, light and sound) and I love that you can choose a natural spa soundscape instead of just a loud beeping noise.

So, 15 minutes before your desired time, the light and sound barely comes on and, over the course of the next 15 minutes, increasingly gets more and more.

The combination of the light and sound therapy truly is a nice change and the mornings that I have used the Rise & Shine Light instead of my alarm I have noticed that my eyes open at some point during the 15 minute span but not in a shocked-out-of-my-dream type of way. What a relief!

Although I don't have a hard time falling asleep (usually I'm so tired that it isn't a problem), I do like the ability to set the sleep function to just relax in bed at night. Choosing one of the soundscapes (Songbird Serenade, Ocean Rhythms, Pond Life Harmony or Streamside Melodies) and having it and the light get dimmer and dimmer is such a peaceful way to wind down the day.

With the ability to use the Rise & Shine Natural Wake-Up Light in the morning or at night, as well as just as a light (just press the top to turn it on and off) or as a radio, this is a great gift idea for anyone on your holiday list. Weighing only 2.4 pounds and very intuitive to use, this is something that just about everyone could enjoy for providing cues to help fall asleep naturally, sleeping soundly and waking up refreshed. What a wonderful gift!

Verilux has a wonderful collection of technologically advanced products to help in your life - everything from light therapy to sanitizing with light that can benefit your home and your well-being. Brighten the holidays with gifts of health and wellness! Connect with Verilux on Facebook and Twitter and then visit A Mom's Balancing Act to see how much Jenna has been enjoying the HappyLight 6000 Energy Lamp!

(Other than the Rise & Shine Natural Wake-Up Light that I was sent by Verilux, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company and their high quality products.)