Rise and shine! The eye mask that brightens your morning by simulating sun rise



If waking up before sunrise leaves you in a dark mood, here’s a bright idea that may help.

An eye mask that gradually lights up to simulate day breaking is being developed to ease the pain of early morning wake-up calls.

LED lights embedded in the LUMI sleep mask begin to glow half an hour before the programmed time and slowly get brighter, helping the wearer to wake naturally before the built-in alarm beeps.



Let there be light: The eyemask gradually lights up to simulate daybreak and ease the pain of early morning wake up calls

The mask has the added benefit of blocking out light from street lamps or electronic devices during the night, promoting a deeper sleep.

It may also help shift workers manipulate their sleep patterns and give sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder a morning boost.

Designer Taylor Hide, 22, said: ‘Our bodies are designed to sleep in darkness and wake with sunlight. Darkness triggers our brain to produce something called melatonin, which helps us fall asleep. But any tiny amount of light disrupts this.

The timer on the side of the mask allows the user to choose what time the LED lights start waking them naturally - before an alarm begins beeping

‘Sunlight activates our metabolism so we wake easily. A traditional alarm will wake you midway through your sleep cycle but it doesn’t do it softly like sunlight would.

‘LUMI is an effective way to finally sync your body’s clock to the light and dark. It blocks out ambient light, helping you fall asleep quicker and with ease.

‘Then, in the morning, its soft light simulates a sunrise, gradually growing brighter, easing you into waking up.

‘By slowly waking your mind and body, you gain a boost of energy and stimulate your body for the day ahead.’

Mr Hide, from Birmingham, Alabama, came up with the idea after struggling with sleep problems. He said: ‘I loved waking up with sunlight coming through my blinds, but at night, with my blinds open, light kept me from falling asleep.

‘Using a sleep mask helped block the light, but eliminated being able to wake with sunlight.

‘Then I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have a solution for blocking out light and waking with sunlight?’

He expects his gadget will be most popular with shift workers.

‘By using the LUMI they can effectively control their sleep environment, regardless of when or where they sleep,’ he explained.

He also sees a ‘big prospect’ of benefits for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder, who are often treated with light therapy.

But while the eye mask is cheaper than a trip to brighter corners of the world, you may still lose sleep over the price. It is expected to cost more than £50 when it goes on sale.

