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Lumie Bodyclocks

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Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 23:16 3 January 2004

Hi there,
I'm new to this forum and hoped some of you could help me out. I found this website through a magazine and thought i'd take a look.

I'd heard about Lumie Bodyclocks a while ago and thought they sounded interesting. I don't think I suffer from SAD, however, I suffer, as i'm sure most people do, with the concept of getting up in the mornings. Waking naturally's great, but with the alarm and switching the light on etc is a right ordeal!

I'm sure some of you on here have/are using the bodyclocks. How have you got on with them, have they helped. have they made getting up easier? Does the idea of the light coming on over a period help?

I am going to enquite about trialling one maybe, I don't mind paying out if they have good results.

Perhaps you could give me your opinions.

Thanks, Janey

Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 09:14 4 January 2004

Hi Janie

I like my Lumie.
Much, much better than an alarm clock.
The way the light increases slowly is a lovely, gentle waker-upper - gives you time to slowly realize that there's a new day starting out there.
And the quality of light is sunny, somehow.
Yes, try one.
calm

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 09:22 4 January 2004

Sorry, Janey: spelt your name wrong.

Another thing about my Lumie is that it only stays on for ten minutes after its fully on (which is the time you set). So, when you've realized it's time to get up, you can't hang about - have to show a leg and put your bedroom light on. Seems logical...

Calm
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 10:45 4 January 2004

Hi Janey

Couldn't manage without my Lumie!

Must be the only perfect "alarm" clock there is I reckon ~ complete morning calm, gentle warm light simply creeps into your room, and oh so subtly nudges you into your day. No noise (unless you select it to beep at the end of its 'sunrise'), no aggro, no stress, nothing ... just a silent natural sort of feeling that it might be time to/worth getting up!

I use mine all year round. The grief of ringing bells/pulsed aggro/radio blast ..... gone, replaced for ever! It's so good that both my sons, 20 & 17, now have one each ~ the fury of the waking adolescent is now a thing of the past!

No, I don't work for OI! But, battle as I still do from time to time with this sad affliction, the Satellite and the Lumie have dramatically changed the quality of my winters.

'nuff said! All the best. Julie
Bright One
joined 29 Jan 2003
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Posted by Bright One, 10:59 4 January 2004

Christmas present from the hubby was a Lumie.
I love going to bed and setting the sunset setting so it gradually dims and I tend to wake up in the morning naturally. Just sort of realise that I'm awake.

Christmas holidays isn't the best time to use it because I've been going to bed (very) late and then changing the time so I have NO routine at the moment... BUT it seems to work and if I think I need and extra nudge there is a beep which beeps once and is so less heart attack inducing than my old alarm!

I don't work for outside in either but I love my Lumie and so does my husband.
sebrown
joined 18 Nov 2002
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Posted by sebrown, 15:17 4 January 2004

yep all of the above

Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 19:11 18 January 2004

Thanks for all your replies. I think I might contact outsidein to see if I can trial one.
Lorraine
joined 5 Dec 2003
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Posted by Lorraine, 16:11 20 January 2004

I am hard to wake, and I don't like alarm beepers of any kind so I use my lumie without the beeper on. Some days the light alone wakes me up, about half the time it doesn't, so I have a radio set to come on as well. I have to have stodgy old Radio 4 set on it, I used to have XFM but they'd invariably put on something really noisy just at the point it would come on, and I'd jump out of my skin.

I do like the lumie though, I'm convinced it makes a difference even if I don't always wake up by the light. When I forget to put it on, waking up is always that much harder.

Lorraine

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 11:44 12 February 2004

I've just received my Bodyclock and am having problems with it.
When it comes on in the morning, instead of taking half an hour to light up gradually, it comes on in about 10 seconds, then the alarm starts bleeping. This defeats the whole object of having one, as the automatic reflex kicked in and I switched the alarm off and promptly went back to sleep. I'm used to having a sleep button and obviously the Bodyclock doesn't have one, so unsurprisingly I woke up late and got into work half an hour late! :shock:

I bought the Bodyclock as a last resort as I just seem to get worse at getting up in the morning as I get older. I've always been bad, even when I was a very young child. I'm also going to be relocating at work, which means I'll have to get up earlier, so I need to sort this problem out soon.....

Can anyone help me?! :?
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 12:49 12 February 2004

Hi Bleary Eyed!

First question, have you completely understood the Lumie instructions, it does take a moment to learn how to "drive" this admirable and perfectly formed little 'alarm' clock!

To switch a function off like the beep, when the word 'beep' shows below the time display, click the "-" button in the '- & +' section, and it will then read 'off'. Have you checked the length of sunrise time, it can be 15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes, maybe you have selected 15.

If still baffled, ring OutsideIn, they'll unravel you! There is an outside chance of course that yours is faulty, they'll know immediately.

Stick with it, you won't know how you have managed without it once you are sorted out.

Julie
sebrown
joined 18 Nov 2002
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Posted by sebrown, 14:10 12 February 2004

it does have a sleep button
instead of turning it off you press the '-' button and the beep
will go again in about 8 mins.

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 14:12 12 February 2004

I've figured out how to turn the beep off, but can't find anything about how to choose the sunrise length. I've read the instructions over and over again to find out, but there's definitely nothing there. And it certainly doesn't take 15 minutes to come on - it's more like 15 seconds!

Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 14:12 12 February 2004

it does have a sleep button
instead of turning it off you press the '-' button and the beep
will go again in about 8 mins.


Ooh, thanks!
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 09:22 13 February 2004

Hi Bleary Eyed ~

Your Lumie! :idea:

Looking at it going left to right... the control panel section is : the illuminated display, a button "P" (programming), a '-' / '+' bar, and an "A" button (to set Automatic).

1 To start, ensure "A" is depressed (rests at it's flushest with the surface of the clock).

2 Watching the illuminated display section, press "P", then again, as you do you will see options under the time which you can adjust by using the
"-/+" bar ('-' meaning effectively 'off' and '+' meaning 'on') eg: press "P" until the word FADEUP appears, then using the '+' button first you will be offered 15, then 30, 60, 90 minute options for your sunrise. When the right length of time appears in the illuminated section beside the word FADEUP, that will be the one you have selected. Now continue to press the "P" button for other items in the 'menu'.

3 You can now page down through all the the other options and adjust them to suit you best. (Once set up, you will find the only thing you will change now and again is the time you wish to be woken.)

4 Having set all options to suit you, including Alarm Time, the only thing that remains for you to do is press the "A" button, this time instead of being low and flushish with the clock, it needs to be in its protruding position. No need to touch anything again all week, unless you need to change the time.

HAS THIS HELPED!!?*

As I mentioned, it does take time to learn to drive it, but you really won't look back once you have. Mornings are seriously bad enough anyway (very worst time of day for me anyway, always feel like hell on earth and debate whether I am in fact alive or not!), and this little device really does mean a stressless start, despite the day's battle which lies ahead.

Well, you asked!

Kindest things ~ Julie :D

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 10:52 13 February 2004

Thanks Julie!

It did come on properly this morning after I reset it and programmed it again. I woke up when the beeper went off but went straight back to sleep again.....

I'll try what you suggested. One question though - if you can choose the length of sunrise, why doesn't it mention it in the instructions? I got my boyfriend to read through them last night to make sure I hadn't missed anything, but there's definitely nothing there. Are you talking about the Sunray model?
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 11:37 13 February 2004

Hi Bleary Eyed ~

No, not got the Sunray one, I have got the all-singing, all-dancing Lumie Advanced. Of course, I don't know where I have put it's instructions! Will have a dig about later.

Have you found on the FADEUP options the various times which you can select though? Odd that this info doesn't seem to be in the book. On the website, under the features of this 'bodyclock' it does list the fadeup/down time options.

I assume yours is also the Lumie Advanced?

Good luck! Julie

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 12:52 13 February 2004

No, sorry - it's the Sunray. I think it just takes 30 minutes to come on. I don't think there's any other options.
calm
joined 5 Nov 2003
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Posted by calm, 19:39 13 February 2004

Hi Bleary Eyed.

That's OK then. Sunrise one used to be called plain "Bodyclock", I think.
Not so many bells and whistles, so - easier to drive, but no variable sunrise duration, so you're stuck with 30 mins.
The instruction book explains everything you've got, with this model.
I put mine on a shelf behind my bed-head, and usually wake up, gently, inside this time. It goes off again ten minutes after it's reached fully bright, so seems as if you'll need the beeper at the end of your thirty-minute wakie-wakie.
Let us know how you get on.
Love,
calm

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 09:51 16 February 2004

I have now established that my Bodyclock is working, but following 2 uses, it hasn't woken me up yet (I am using the beeper too). Does it take a few mornings to get used to using it?
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 10:02 16 February 2004

Not really.

Try placing it on your beside cabinet so that it's a bit more 'in-your-face' as it were. Have you got the max wattage bulb in there? It will say in the 'shade' somewhere.

Mine is on the other side of the room behind a teddy, but it lights up the ceiling as perfectly as a sunrise. But there again, I am quite a light sleeper (despite sad, it's a mummy thing I guess!).

You'll get there!

Julie

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 12:03 16 February 2004

It is on my bedside cabinet, but I'll try turning it to face me to see if that helps.

I did have a late night last night, so I expect that didn't help. Fingers crossed for tomorrow morning..... :D
Bright One
joined 29 Jan 2003
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Posted by Bright One, 12:54 16 February 2004

Bleary,

It took me a little while to get used to waking up to my lumie. Just make sure that it is coming on at the same time everyday and once you're awake get up.

I'm a very deep sleeper and used to need 2 or 3 alarms and my husband and cat to wake me up. I used to also be able to go back to sleep with very little effort. Now I am still a deep sleeper but I have a latest time that I have to be in bed by and I get up when I wake up (well not when the cat wakes me at 4am to let him under the duvet).

It took me a little while to get used to my lumie but it seems to be ok now. I prefer to use it without the beep but have my old alarm as an emergency back up in case I don't get up. I usually wake up and switch my old alarm off before it has chance to go off and then get up.

Once I got used to it I have to say it's lovely waking up without whistles and bells. I just open my eyes and think "oh, alright then. getting up sounds like a good idea"

lovely

persevere. it really is a lovely way to wake up.

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 09:53 24 February 2004

Ok. I've given it a week and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier.
This morning I woke up at 8:15am (I'm supposed to be in work at 8:30am! :shock: ) and don't remember hearing my alarm, or being aware that the Bodyclock had been on. If anything, I seem to be getting worse.

Any suggestions?! :(
siddy
joined 22 Jan 2003
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Posted by siddy, 10:02 24 February 2004

Hello,

all I can say is stick with it! and use extra alarm clocks if need be for the time being because you need to adjust your body clock. It was a horrendous struggle for me as well but at present (and fingers crossed) I can rise at seven quite easily. It used to be half eight and for me it was a real struggle for that time :x !

Hang on in for a few more weeks :?
Bright One
joined 29 Jan 2003
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Posted by Bright One, 10:06 24 February 2004

What time do you want to be up by?

When are you going to bed?
and when are you going to sleep (approx.!)?

Is your room dark?

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 11:15 24 February 2004

What time do you want to be up by?

When are you going to bed?
and when are you going to sleep (approx.!)?

Is your room dark?


I would like to be up sometime around 7:00am.

I go to bed between about 11:00pm and 12:00am, but don't always get to sleep 'til about 1:00am - 2:00am. It depends how tired I am. Going to bed earlier doesn't really help as I find it hard to get off to sleep unless I'm really exhausted and tend to get woken up when my boyfriend comes to bed anyway. I've also noticed that I find it even harder to get up in the morning if I've had more sleep than usual.....
Julie in Sussex
joined 21 Jan 2003
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Posted by Julie in Sussex, 15:35 24 February 2004

Just a thought, have you tried Nytol Herbal, Kalms, or my favourite (though it tastes like a compost heap, it's a liquid, add 20 drips to a shotglass of water) Bioforce Valerian & Hops Complex. The first two are available from Boots, the last one from good health shops. These are just enough to aid the unwind-from-the-day process making going to sleep that bit simpler.
Julie
Bright One
joined 29 Jan 2003
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Posted by Bright One, 17:49 24 February 2004

The reason I asked what time you want to be up by is because you need to be kind to yourself and make sure you are getting enough sleep (but not too much). From what you say you're only getting 5 or 6 hours of sleep- you should aim to get 7 or 8 really.

I am always up and in front of my lightbox by 7 and find myself waking up naturally around 6.45. I think (here it comes again) routine is very important and a 'bedtime' routine is as important as a lightbox routine.


Sleep therapists often suggest a specific routine which you do the same every night. If you can't fall asleep don't stress just go back a couple of steps and repeat the routine
e.g. get changed for bed and have a drink of milk/horlicks/water (try to avoid any caffeine drinks) which you sip slowly.
If you like reading set yourself a point when you will stop. I have to put my bookmark in and put the book down when I reach it otherwise I just keep extending my reading time.
Make sure your bedroom is a calm environment and have enough light to read by but nothing too bright.
Try and avoid watching tv right before you are trying to sleep.
Lavender oil/scent is good (unless it makes you sneeze)- don't use a nightlight type burner unless you are sure you will remember to blow it out. Look for a diffuser, Aromastone or plug-ins even.
When you settle down to sleep don't get annoyed if things are hurtling around your head just let them pass, don't act on them. Keep a note pad next to your bed in case you have a really niggling thought. Write it down and deal with it tomorrow.

If you lie there for 20 minutes without falling asleep rewind- go back a stage i.e. get up and get yourself a drink (not alcoholic) and carry on from that point.

It's important that the room you go to sleep in is dark to provide the contrast with the light coming on which will wake you up.

If you get enough sleep your body will be ready to get up.

I'm afraid that it really is a process of retraining your body and your mind and learning new habits can take at least a month and often longer. It means being really strict for a while.

Other than that I'm not sure. Keep at it.

Oh, or you could get one of those really evil giant bell alarms and set it to come on a couple of minutes after your dawn alarm... put it on the opposite side of the room and believe me you'll be jumping out of bed to switch it off before it goes off...
then again you might just do what I did when I was younger, wake up before it goes off stumble across the room, switch it off and crawl back into bed.

:| I feel like I've said too much, flipped into ramble mode... sorry.
hope I've been of some help.

Anonymous
joined 6 Jan 2009
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Posted by Anonymous, 10:36 25 February 2004

Just a thought, have you tried Nytol Herbal, Kalms, or my favourite (though it tastes like a compost heap, it's a liquid, add 20 drips to a shotglass of water) Bioforce Valerian & Hops Complex. The first two are available from Boots, the last one from good health shops. These are just enough to aid the unwind-from-the-day process making going to sleep that bit simpler.
Julie


I used to use some herbal sleeping tablets years ago when I used to suffer from insomnia and they certainly work, but I found it even harder to get up in the morning, as they put me in a really deep sleep. I have got some Kalms at home, so I might give them a go.

Bright One -

I will try to go to bed a bit earlier - the trouble is, I always feel like the evening's not long enough and there's too much to do, so by the time I've finished, it's getting late.

I would like to read in bed, but my boyfriend complains that I'm disturbing him (he has to be at work for 6:00am), although he's such a deep sleeper, I doubt he would even notice I had the light on! Maybe I should try it...... :twisted: He also moans when I fidget in the night, so I'm not sure about the getting up thing.

:lol: I still get up and turn the alarm off or, I get used to the noise and go back to sleep. There's no hope.... :roll:


Ok. At lunchtime, I'll take some Kalms and make sure I get a nice early night tonight. Maybe I might have a sneaky read of a book....

Thank you both for your help. Everyone's so lovely on this board. :D
Bright One
joined 29 Jan 2003
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Posted by Bright One, 11:55 25 February 2004

Bleary, I know exactly what you mean about the evening not being long enough I'm often fighting the urge to get more stuff done but if I gave in I'd be up until 2am doing dumb stuff (badly- because I'm tired).
Arken74
joined 11 Jan 2004
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Posted by Arken74, 12:22 25 February 2004

Just another tip, though still to do with the caffeine. Before Christmas, I was drinking loads of coffee in the mornings because I'm studying, but would only drink tea after about 3 o'clock as there is less caffeine. I started having really bad panic attacks on new years day and my doctor told my to cut right down on my caffeine intake. I could still have caffeine up until mid day but go on to decaffienated after that. I prefer tea to coffee anyway so started drinking decaf tea after mid day (did try the coffe but it wasn't a very nice one). I didn't notice a huge difference but I was on tablets which knocked me out anyway at the time but the panic attacks did subside. Anyway, last week, I stopped taking these tablets and have still been sleeping ok, until Saturday. I had been really thirsty and the only thing we had was coke (our tap water makes me feel sick) so I had some at about 8 o'clock. 3.30am and I was still laying there, wide awake and very frustrated as I wanted to get up early Sunday for some more studying. I sure it would have had such an effect on me before so I think cutting right back on the caffeine all day has made a difference to me in general. I used to sometimes take a cup of tea to bed with me, never thiking it could be just as bad as coffee!!!!!!
I know the decaf stuff is not always as nice but I'm gettting used to it and the benifits are great. It's more appreciated when I do have a proper cup of tea in the morning too. I have also found in the supermarket, Tetleys doing little pots of tea (only about 80p) and there's a calming, uplifting and well-being. I have the calming and uplifting ones and want to try the other but they are just like normal teabags (round) which you can add milk to (i tried without but it was yukky) but you leave the teabag in for 2 minutes.
It's ' Tetley Plus - calming. Great tasting low caffeine tea with added calm. 20 tea bags with camomile, lemon balm and honey'
and you can even claim the money back on them. You can't actually taste the honey (i don't have sugar so was a bit worried they would taste sweet) but there is just an after taste. I don't think they are too bad as I hate fruit teas, though I don't mind the leafy ones such as mint, cammomile etc, but my mum said it was disgusting and she does like fruit teas?????
Anyway, it's worked for me, but I agree with all the other bits, Lavender oil (maybe a drip on the pillow) hot milk/horlicks, and make sure the room is not too warm as your body only goes into sleep mode at a lower temperature (I read somewhere, and I can never sleep if I'm too warm). And if you go to bed earlier, do some reading, this will give your body a chance to relax, then put the book down when your boyfriend comes to bed.
Hope you finding something that works

Anonymous
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Posted by Anonymous, 11:19 26 February 2004

I actually cut down on caffeine a few years ago and don't drink any after 6pm. Apart from my obligatory cuppa in the morning (I can't possibly function without it....) I mainly drink herbal tea during the day. In fact, I'm enjoying a lovely cup of peppermint tea right now. :D I think the decaf tea tastes just as good as normal tea. I couldn't live without it now!

Have you tried Redbush (Rooibos) tea? It's really tasty and is caffiene-free. Also, have you thought about getting a filter jug? I drink loads of water, but my tap water tastes revolting. Through the filter, it tastes much better. It also makes my tea taste nicer. Putting the water in the fridge seems to help the taste too.

I intended to get an early night last night, but thanks to a mountain of ironing, that didn't happen. :roll: Unfortunately, I can't see myself getting an early night 'til Sunday now, as my social calendar is full (makes a change....): party tonight, concert Friday night (Brian Wilson. Yay!) and another party on Saturday night. Aren't I popular... :wink:

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