Why we like this product:

- You dont need to change your favourite bedside lamp, this will convert it into a dawn simulator.

- It is small enough to take with you and use while away from home.

- You dont need to re-set your alarm each day for different wake up times

- It is simple to program, robust and attractive.

This is why most people find they are happier, more energetic, more rested and more positive about life in summer.

By regulating out sleep patterns, using dawn simulation, we can ease out bodies into the morning, and wake naturally just by using natures triggers of morning light, instead of the harsh jolt awake which leaves most of us feeling shocked and numb that you get from a normal alarm clock.

Here we have listed ways in which you can help overcome sleep problems:

- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and eating heavily in the last few hours before bed time

- . Avoid watching lively action films on the TV.

- Try to deal with troublesome issues before you go to bed, so you don't stay awake worrying. It sometimes helps to make a list. When you see things itemised that are worrying you, it helps to clarify things and deal with them one by one.

- Wear comfortable night clothes, and make sure your bedroom isn't too hot or cold.

- You can use the Bodyclock to simulate a sunset, to ease your body into a sleepy mode. The gradual dimming of the light makes your eyelids feel heavy.

As a result, many of us have varying levels of sleep disorders, broken sleep, difficulty getting to sleep, waking in the night, oversleeping, etc.

This can have a very negative impact upon our well-being, resulting in fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, upset digestion, poor skin tone, etc. If this poor sleep pattern continues, other problems may arise, such as depression, anxiety and physical aches and pains.

Whereas when we sleep well, we wake feeling refreshed and ready to cope with the day ahead. After a good night's sleep we also look better, because our cell renewal increases as we sleep, and the body is able to deal with toxins that have built up in the day.

As we get older, we tend to need less sleep. Babies sleep up to about 17 hours a day, and children and need about 12 hours. Teenagers tend to have less sleep, as they want to stay up late, but still have to get up to go to school. But as their bodies are still growing and changing fast at this time they also need at least 10 hours sleep. This lack of sleep does nothing for their mood or concentration skills! As you get older you tend to need about 7 to 8 hours sleep, and later in life it can become harder to sleep. Another thing that affects the amount of sleep we need is how much activity we do, the more you exercise, the longer you need to sleep.

Stages of sleep

A normal healthy night's sleep is made up of 5 different phases, each stage contributing to a healthy pattern of sleep. Our body and brain need the five stages of sleep to restore and regenerate.

The first stage of drifting off into a light sleep phase, which is easily disrupted.

During the next stage, our heartbeat and breathing slows down, with a more deep sleep but still with some brain activity

This is followed by the deepest sleep, when brain activity is slow, muscles are relaxed. This it the stage when most dreams happen, and when episodes of sleepwalking or talking may occur. This is also the time when hormones are released into the bloodstream and the body repairs itself.

Another phase during our sleep is known as REM, (rapid eye movement). These are periods, ranging from 10 minutes to an hour when the brain is very active, our eyes move about, and we experience vivid dreams. Our brain activity is similar to when we are awake, and it is this phase that helps us become more adept at problem solving and more creative.

The balance of sleep stages varies from person to person, and also depends on lifestyle and life stage. For example, athletes need longer to renew their bodies, so sleep longer in deep sleep, whereas babies have longer periods of REM, as their brains are very active and developing.

1) How do I generate a Sunrise?

The Sunrise works in conjunction with the alarm time, first set the alarm time, then choose the desired Sunrise period from the menu (e.g. set to 15 min). Activate the alarm by pressing the alarm button (top right). The Sunrise will start 15 min before the alarm time and the lamp will be at full brightness after 15 min

2) How do I generate a Sunset?

First choose the desired Sunset period from the menu (e.g. set to 15 min). Then press the + button until the lamp is set to the desired level. To activate the Sunset just press the alarm button. The lamp will slowly dim and switch off.

3) How do you plug a lamp into this device e.g. does it take a normal 3-pin UK plug, and do you then plug the unit into an electrical socket via its own plug?

The unit has a cable that splits after 1m into two cables, one half has a plug that connects the unit to the mains socket and the other end has a socket that takes a normal 3-pin UK plug for your lamp.

4) I cannot activate the alarm when pressing the alarm button and the alarm symbol doesn't appear?

Check if the security mode is switched Off. The alarm and sunset cannot be activated when security mode is switched On.

5) Is there additional information on the Snooze function?

The way the Snooze function works is as follows: When the Alarm sounds (buzzer) and the light is at full brightness, the user has a few options: 1) press the snooze button momentarily and the buzzer will stop. The light will stay on. After 9min the buzzer will sound again. 2) press and hold the snooze button for 4sec, now the buzzer will stop and the light will dim down over 4sec. The lamp will now fade up again to full brightness over 9min and the buzzer will sound. To exit the snooze mode, simply press the alarm button and the display will show Alarm Off for a few seconds and Snooze is deactivated.

6) If I wake in the night and quickly need to switch on my bedside lamp, how do I do that?

Just press the large snooze button (Zzzzz) on the front of the Sunrise System and your lamp will switch on to full brightness. Press the snooze button again to switch off the lamp. Your settings for gentle wake up the following morning will be unaffected.

7) Can the unit be reset to the factory default settings?

Yes it can. You need to unplug the unit from the mains, then press and hold the set button (top left) while plugging the unit back into the mains supply, the sounder will beep three times after two to three seconds. You can then release the set button and the unit has now been reset.

8) What happens if there is a power cut?

The Sunrise System alarm clock will retain all settings indefinitely except for the time. The time will be retained for 10 minutes. If the power has been off for a longer period and is restored, the time will flash and read 13:00.

9) Can I use any light bulb in the lamp attached to my Sunrise System alarm clock?

No, you must use a normal tungsten light bulb to the recommended wattage for your lamp. The Sunrise System will not work properly if a 'Saver Bulb' is used.

10) How can I switch off the Buzzer so that I can just wake up to the Sunrise?

Go through the menu until 'Speaker On' is displayed, then press the plus or min button and the display will show 'Speaker Off'.

11) Can I use my Sunrise System in my Caravan?

Yes, the neat size and portability is ideal for caravanning or travelling. No more harsh awakening whilst on holiday.

12) The lamp does not illuminate?

Make sure your lamp is working normally. You can check this by disconnecting it from the Sunrise System, then connecting it to your wall socket. Then leave the lamp switched on, disconnect from wall socket and reconnect to the socket on the Sunrise clock.

13) Can I use the Sunrise System to control an electrical device other then a bedside lamp?

The Sunrise System is specifically designed for use with a bed side lamp. Never use it to power another electrical device! It is not designed for that and could be dangerous to the user!

14) The Sunrise System alarm goes off at the wrong time / day?

Check the settings in the menu, and make sure that you have selected the right weekday, and current year.

15) How do I switch the light off after a Sunrise in the morning?

You need to press the (min) button until the light is off.