Did you know that I write most of my blog posts between 4:30 and 6:00am each and every day? It’s true! Darah is an EXTREMELY early morning riser (5:30 is a very common wake up time for her, and always has been). In order to get any work done, I have to get up before she does in the morning. Fortunately, I’m also a morning person, so this schedule has been doable for me.
My husband is a different story. He’s not a morning OR a night person. Basically, if he had his way he would sleep 10 hours a night and take a 1-2 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon. He’s just a big snoozer! Waking up is difficult for him and always has been. But we have something in our room that is helping him wake up more refreshed than anything else we’ve tried in the past.

It’s called the SmartLight and its from Verilux. First, let me tell you how we use the lamp, and then I’ll tell you other excellent uses for the lamp. We use it as Tim’s gentle alarm clock. No, it doesn’t have an actual alarm built into it, but when I get up at 4:30, I turn on the SmartLight, which is by Tim’s side of the bed. It produces a Natural Spectrum Daylight that shines in the room. This particular kind of lighting replicates key wavelengths of natural daylight which sends your body a message that artificial lighting simply can’t. Tim is usually out of bed within 20 minutes of the light coming on, and he isn’t grumpy. I’d call this a miracle, people.

The SmartLight is actually intended to be used as a lamp for people who might need to stay up at night studying, and who need some help concentrating while they read. Studies have found that people using the  Verilux SmartLight are able to read faster and with greater comprehension. They can also study longer without glare or eyestrain, which really helps maximize study time.

I can understand that this might sound a little far-fetched. I mean, how is a light going to make you read faster and understand more?! Well, there is over 50 years of research that has gone into this SmartLight, and they have really keyed in on the light the human eye most needs.

Verilux is a company that knows light and knows how to use it to better your everyday life. I have reviewed their CleanWave Sanitizing Wand in the past and continue to regularly use this product to battle germs in my house. I have been consistently impressed with the quality of the products and the research that goes into creating them. Verilux makes products that will last and that will produce results. In the case of the SmartLight, the bulb in the lamp is a very special one (not something you can pick up at your local drugstore or hardware store). But it is designed to last 10,000 hours, which is more than 10 times the life of a traditional bulb. When it does finally wear out, Verilux offers replacement bulbs, as well. The lamp also is made of a durable plastic, which means it can most likely see your child from elementary school through college without any problems.

One of the things I find the most exciting about this product, though, is the price point. It sells for $39.95, and I think that’s a steal for what this lamp can provide to you and your family.  I very highly recommend it for anyone who needs to “burn the midnight oil” but wants to do it in a more effective and efficient way! I also recommend it for anyone who struggles to get out of bed in the morning and needs a more gentle wake up method!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Verilux SmartLight!
[Read more…]