How a New Alarm Clock Might Help You Cope With Endo Fatigue and Insomnia

When my period symptoms became worse, my sleep cycle began changing, too. I had trouble sleeping through the night.

I had trouble waking up when the morning rolled up on the horizon. Half-awake, I'd snooze my alarms and turn off my phone alarms.

Facing the challenges of endo fatigue

Painsomnia and fatigue are common byproducts of endometriosis. Living with chronic pain can make it difficult for your body to relax and get the rest it needs.

Over time, this unsatisfying sleep can take its toll. I often felt even more exhausted when I awoke than when I'd tucked myself into bed the night before.

Some days, I'd jolt awake an hour or two later than I'd set my alarms. But even if my alarms were not waking me up, my roommates were not so lucky.

I downloaded apps meant to startle me awake with nontraditional alarm noises that don't cease until you successfully work through several math problems or memory games.

Finding an alarm clock that could help me

If you think that solving multiplication problems while sirens and dog barks blare from your phone seems like a miserable way to start a new day ... you'd be right.

Many apartments have thin walls, and my home is no exception. The loud, repeating sounds would disturb others. Fortunately, there are gentler alarm clock alternatives that can bring some peace to your and your loved ones' mornings.

Wearable alarms 

It's the 21st century, and many of us use wearable tech like smartwatches. Did you know that your Fitbit or Apple Watch might have an alarm function? When you wear your alarm on your body, you might be able to hear the noise better or feel the vibrations meant to urge you awake.

If you want to try out your smartwatch as an alarm, check out these directions from How-To Geek.

Other brands specialize in making alarm clock watches. One controversial option is the Pavlok Shock Clock, which has two functions: strong vibration for lighter sleepers or a sharp electric shock for the most stubborn sleepyheads.

Vibrating alarm clocks 

A bed-shaking alarm might be a promising alternative if you prefer using a traditional clock instead of your phone. Vibrating alarm clocks are designed for people with a hearing impairment or heavy sleepers. However, they can also be a good choice if you need a quiet but effective way to get up.

Since my noisy alarms were waking my roommates, I decided to try out one of these devices. I set the time and alarm on the clock. A long cord connects the disc to the clock, and I stow the disc under my pillow.

When it's time for my alarm to go off, the clock does not ring; it buzzes. The vibration is strong enough to wake me up, and if I do need to snooze a time or two, I don't feel guilty about disturbing my household.

I have an alarm clock that requires me to get up in order to turn it off. There are many options depend on your budget and design preferences. My type of clock is most effective for me because I have to get out of bed to turn off the alarm manually, and I'm less tempted to slip back into bed when I'm already standing up.

Sunlight simulator alarms 

A lamp alarm might work if you need blackout curtains to keep your room dark at night. While the other alarms on this list use vibration or shocks to wake you up, sunlight clocks are meant to slowly guide you to wakefulness by ramping up the brightness of your room.

As your wake-up time approaches, the lamp will flicker, dim at first, and steadily grow. Some users appreciate how these alarm clocks replicate the natural feeling of a sunrise.

If you worry that the lamp might not be strong enough to wake you, many light therapy alarms also include noises like birdsong or music to get you up and moving. 

Do you use any of these alarms, and have they helped you navigate an irregular sleep cycle? Share your suggestions in the comments below.