Kinda SAD ... alarm sun light recommendation?

I do alright (Not great) in the winter in general but I realized this morning that even when I'm rested I struggle a bit waking to DARKNESS.

Looked on Amazon for sun clocks and I'm not loving any of the options. They seem to each have serious flaws in one or more area: made poorly, difficult to program, reset when they lose power, can't replace the bulb, run by phone app that tracks everything about you...

I don't need something fancy. Sounds might be nice but mostly I just like the idea of waking to gentle sunshine. Anyone use a light like this that they like?

Hi Sonja,

I also found the alarm sunlight machines to have very crappy reviews for such exorbitant prices.

SO i am now utilizing the Sunshine Science's Indoor Sunshine cfl bulb on a timer to wake me.
their color rendering index is 95CRI and they are 5300 Kelvin.  The color rendering is as close to sunshine as you may be able to find.

There are three sizes.
I use the smallest bulb--15 watt--for waking me. It's not a gradual coming on of the light, yet is better for our eyes than an abrupt other kind of lighting. and the 15 watt is not as bright as the 60-watt equivalent they say it is. I have the clamp light fixture shining towards a wall opposite the bed, so the effect is an indirect sunlight feeling.

i use the largest bulb--30 watt--for task lighting. The brightness of the 30 watt is supposed to be the equivalent of a 150 watt incandescent, which i do not think is true. yet these are the best sunshine bulbs for regular fixtures that I have found.

https://sunshinesciences.com/

three of the sizes are presently for sale on amazon. the first three results on this search:
If purchased on amazon, they are easier to return if you are not pleased with the purchase.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sunlight+Sciences&ref=bl_dp_s_web_0

There are also the Chromalux, LumiChrome and Ecolume bulbs and tubes in various styles with the best prices at Jerry's Artarama.
https://search.jerrysartarama.com/search?w=chromalux

One of the Ecolume cfl's is dimmable:
Ecolume Dimmable 23 Watt Spiral Bulb
V06995
https://www.jerrysartarama.com/ecolume-compact-fluorescent-bulbs

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When you find something you like, i'd suggest buying a few since the supply chains are so precarious. and these are much more affordable than a stinking 'light clock'.

just found this link on the thread about SAD to more lighting options:

https://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/
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For folks who would like to have a "plant grow light" which also blesses their human unit, I have had the Green Sunshine Company's Electric Sky (ES) ES180 v3 for four months and REALLY like sitting near this for full sunshine-like absorption.
"
"Experience Unbelievable Plant Growth from Seed through Flower!
Grow with the Intensity and Wavelengths of Sunlight…"

https://thegreensunshineco.com/

These lights were developed for growing plants faster with much better yield/potency. My plants are experiencing phenomenal growth. The Basil grew more than two inches in 36 hours. The leaves doubled in size.

Some of the ES grow light users have changed from other grow light systems to this brand exclusively due to the specific way these lights work.

The Electric Sky grow light has an included dimming kit allowing me easily dial in the proper intensity for my indoor garden crops. I am currently have the setting at only 3 out of 11, and the plants are doing awesomely.

I don't have experience with a sunlight alarm, but I have been using a SAD lamp for the past 15-ish years here in Scotland and it makes a huge difference to my SAD. Yes, it is still a shock and hard to wake up in the darkness. The motivation to my my body to the living room and sit in front of the lamp, however, is enough to help me shuffle downstairs. Using the light means that the lethargy, and lack of creativity and concentration are kept at bay during the winter when I would otherwise rather hibernate.

I have one at home and one still in the office 18 months later due to Covid. When I commuted, I would sit in front of the home one for breakfast and then use the one upon arrival at work for a bit until the sunrise. Then, as the sun sets too early, I use it for an hour before leaving work.

The treatment recommendation for brightness for SAD is at least 10,000 lux so keep an eye out for that in your search. Since my light box is bright and has been quite visible in my offices over the years, I've had many conversations with friends, family and colleagues looking for a solution and there's been a pattern of those who purchased the cheaper blue light ones (rather than the white light) finding that they strain their eyes or give them headaches. This may not be a problem for you.

Good luck, I hope you find something that helps you.

Sonja Draven wrote:I do alright (Not great) in the winter in general but I realized this morning that even when I'm rested I struggle a bit waking to DARKNESS.

Looked on Amazon for sun clocks and I'm not loving any of the options. They seem to each have serious flaws in one or more area: made poorly, difficult to program, reset when they lose power, can't replace the bulb, run by phone app that tracks everything about you...

I don't need something fancy. Sounds might be nice but mostly I just like the idea of waking to gentle sunshine. Anyone use a light like this that they like?

Hi Sonja,
Did you end up trying anything out this winter?
How has it worked?