Do you wake up in a panic every morning to the loud and obnoxious noise of an alarm clock? If so, there’s a much nicer alternative that can make a significant difference in the start of your day.

Waking up Naturally

Humans have lived outdoors for millions of years and have evolved to function according to the rhythms of the planet, particularly the cycle of night and day. The light of sunrise naturally stimulates us to awaken while the darkness resulting from sunset provokes us to slow down and fall asleep. In other words, we’ve become biologically programmed to function according to the presence of sunlight.

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Sleep is one of the easiest ways to improve your health and well being, but getting a good night of rest is more involved than you may realize.

Cortisol: A Bad Nightmare

Cortisol is a hormone that’s released in response to stress and prepares your body to deal with it. Among other things, it keeps you awake and alert which obviously inhibits sleep. Light and stimulation are the two primary triggers for cortisol and it doesn’t take much of either to promote it’s release. Even the illumination from the numbers on a digital alarm clock or the slightest bit of frustration or excitement is enough. And because cortisol can remain active in your body for up to two hours, it can keep you lying awake in bed for quite a while.

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