February 2008 - Posts
By Julia Sommerfeld, health editor
What it is:Soleil Sun Alarm, a dawn-simulator alarm clock ($79.99)
What it claims to do: Gently nudge you awake by gradually increasing the intensity of its built-in light, designed to mimic a sunrise. You can set your fake sun to rise over 15, 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. And if you’re a deep sleeper you can end your sun rise cycle with the back-up beeper, radio or strobe light. The maker claims that waking up to light resets your internal clock, making it easier to rise on subsequent mornings.
My experience:In the interest of full disclosure, let me say that I’m nocturnal by nature and have never met an alarm clock I like. Whether they beep, make soothing rainforest sounds or blare my very favorite song, I find alarm clocks to be singularly sadistic; it’s a cruel irony that it takes three of them to wake me every morning.
So you can understand why I was hopeful about the sun alarm’s promises of a kinder, gentler start to my day.
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By Diane Mapes, contributing writer
What it is: Leg & Foot Massager by Sirius ($59.99)
What it claims to do: According to the manufacturer, the Sirius Leg & Foot Massager (with Rhythmic Massage Action!) will “reduce heart rate and blood pressure, improve blood circulation and muscle relaxation, relieve muscle soreness, stiffness and pain and alleviate pain due to stress and tension” and a whole bunch of other stuff.
My experience: One of the things about living alone – and on a budget – is that you usually don’t get as much massage action as you’d like. There’s no loving partner to rub your aching muscles after a long day. And if you spend all your money on boring stuff like groceries and rent, you may not be able to hire a professional to take care of you, either. That’s one reason the Leg & Foot Massager seemed interesting to me. You just Velcro the massaging straps onto your legs, plug the thing in and you’re good to go. Instant massage therapy at the touch of a button. No fuss, no muss, no tip!
But “instant” isn’t exactly the word I’d used to describe my experience.
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