You've probably never thought much about your alarm clock on your phone. Or let me rephrase… have probably not thought about the options that you have for your alarm clock outside of different ringtones and such that the iPhone gives you.
Rethinking Your Alarm for Better Sleep
But I'm here to tell you that there's an alarm clock out there that can actually change everything for you!
It's called Hatch.
A little while back I was searching for an actual alarm clock outside of my cell phone. I didn't want to keep sleeping with my phone next to my head… for many reasons. But also realized that having an alarm clock with a jarring noise was spiking my cortisol levels in the morning.
This past year I was set out to stop using an alarm clock altogether. I wanted to get my circadian rhythm balanced and let me body wake me up when it was ready to wake up.
And I'm happy to report that I have successfully gotten my circadian rhythm down, so I do tend to go to bed shortly after the sun has set and I wake slightly before or right when the sun is rising.
However, I still was wanting something other than an iPhone to wake me up for the mornings when I needed to have an alarm on.
A friend of mine introduced me to her Hatch, and I knew I had to get it.
I deep dove on the Hatch research train, and found so many happy users just like my friend.
Introducing Hatch Restore 2: Your Sleep Oasis
Hatch is an innovative alarm clock company that designs smart devices to improve sleep quality and overall well-being. Their products include features like sunrise simulation to wake users up gradually, soundscapes for relaxation, and connectivity with smart home systems for added functionality. They help people establish healthier sleep habits and create a more peaceful waking experience.
I purchased the Restore 2 in the color Latte.
My god is it not only so stinkin' cute, but the functionality of it is pure bliss.
Transforming Bedside Essentials with Hatch
Here are some of the features of this particular one:
- sunrise alarm - wake up gently to a sunrise that supports your natrual circadian rhythm
- sleep sounds - sleep deeply and drown out background noises with sleep sounds inspired by nature and backed by science
- bedside light - set a dreamy mood with a light color like lilac or warm white to cue your body for bedtime
- minimalist design - designed for your bedside table, built for sleepy hands - now available in 3 natural colors
- rest & rise buttons - easily begin your nighttime routine or turn off your morning alarm with a single press of a button, phone free
- alarm sounds - no more jarring alarms - wake up to soothing sounds like "forest birds" or "morning singing bowl"
Understanding Hatch's Impact on Circadian Rhythms
Even though I'm not using my Hatch Restore 2 as an alarm each morning, I am using it every single night and while I sleep.
When I get into my bedroom each night, I turn on the Hatch red light, it emits this beautiful red color throughout the room - but there are plenty of other colors to choose from for your nighttime lighting.
I love Red light at night because it minimally disrupts circadian rhythms, preserves night vision, creates a calming atmosphere, and reduces exposure to sleep-disrupting blue light.
My fiance and I truly try to have a phone-free bedroom at night. Or rather a blue-light free bedroom at night.
When possible we leave our laptops and phones away from the bedroom.
Having blue light in the bedroom is bad because it can disrupt sleep by suppressing melatonin production, affecting circadian rhythms, and causing eye strain, making it harder to fall asleep and achieve restful sleep.
Tailoring Hatch to Your Sleep Preferences
So back to the Hatch and how I use it each night.
We turn on the Red light setting and have this on until we go to sleep.
Then when it's time to sleep, we turn on the Pink Noise setting.
What is Pink Noise?
It's a sound that is characterized by equal energy per octave, meaning it has a balanced frequency spectrum. It contains more low-frequency components than white noise, making it sound deeper and more soothing to many people.
Pink Noise is often used for relaxation, improving sleep quality, and asking background noises.
Basically, Pink Noise rules. Above all other noises, in my opinion.
I've truly never slept deeper with this Pink Noise and my Hatch.
Everything is super easy to control from the app on your phone. You're able to adjust colors, sounds, schedules, alarms, etc.
They also offer Hatch+ which has more audio options and curated sleep guides.
I do not pay for the membership and am super happy with the free version of the app because I truly do not need all the bells and whistles.
I just need a light, a nice noise and the option to set the alarm clock.
I have found myself changing the alarm part of the device every so often, but love the option to have it gradually wake you up - where the Hatch gradually brightens it's color up to 60 minutes before you have to wake up or as close as 5 minutes before you wake. The options are endless.
Lately my alarm setting is on the "meditative flute" and my goodness is it peaceful.
The craziest part is that now that I've become so attached to my Hatch, is that I find myself traveling with it!!!
I had a friend on a bachelorette trip that was so against having it in our room, that after one night she knew she was going to have to buy it once the weekend was over. And she did.
Why Hatch Restore 2 Is Worth the Investment
Now it has a steep price tag.
You may not want to pay the $199 for it. And I don't blame you, I was hesitant myself. I actually waited until they had a little sale and I was able to save with a $40 off coupon. They do this every so often I've found.
They also have devices that hit their Refurbished section on their website, you can find that here.
But I wasn't willing to wait, I wanted to get this particular one to go with the aesthetic in my bedroom.
One of my low-key favorite parts to having this device in the bedroom is that is has a clock!!! I was so sick of not knowing the time when my phone wasn't in my room, or was so tired of frantically fishing for my iPhone on my nightstand or ground to look for the time in the middle of the night or morning.
My fiance and I love that if we need to know, we just look up on our dresser. It seems so old fashioned to want to have a clock in your bedroom, but this has been a game-changer for us and our cortisol spikes.
I mean sometimes I'd grab my phone for the time in the middle of the night only to get curious about all the notifications that have hit my phone since I've been asleep.
No one wants that.
Joining the Hatch Community
So if you want to start incorporating a better way to balance your circadian rhythm, have a bonus mood-light in your bedroom, sleep deeper, be woken up in a gradual, peaceful way, then the Hatch Restore 2 (or 1) is for you.
If you have the Hatch, let me know, would love to hear what features are your favorites!