Why I Broke Up with My Phone Alarm and You Should Too

Let us face it.

Our phones have become our everything, our map, our diary, our gossip partner, and yes, our alarm clock. But have you ever stopped to think about how this little device is hijacking your mornings?

Once upon a time, it was roosters or church bells waking us up. Well in my case it used to be my teachers in School days and my dear friends during my college days. The boarding school people will know what I mean. What replacement do we have now? Now, it’s the blaring, soul-crushing sound of our smartphones.

And let us not forget the notifications. Oh, the notifications! Before you have even had a chance to rub the sleep from your eyes, your phone is already whispering, “You have got emails, messages, and a reminder to drink water. Don’t forget you are behind on life!”

Let me Enlighten You with Some Science

Your phone is ruining your sleep. That blue light? It is like a slap in the face to your melatonin. Melatonin is that magical hormone that is telling your body it is time to snooze. And even if you are not scrolling through Instagram at 1 am, that glowing screen on your nightstand is still shouting, “Look at me!”

Studies show that scrolling before bed doesn’t just mess with your sleep, it messes with your peace. You are overstimulated, overthinking, and suddenly wondering if you really need a $400 bread maker because TikTok says it is life-changing.

Personally, I have been guilty of this too. I have stayed up way past bedtime, lost in an endless scroll, convincing myself I need things I didn’t even know existed an hour ago. And it is not just me. Everywhere I look my family, my friends, colleagues, every single soul is making choices not because they truly need something, but because some influencer, barely out of their teens, swears it’s a must-have. Whether it’s a smartphone, a laptop, or a watch, decisions are being shaped by algorithms rather than actual necessity. Anyways, more on this in some other blog.

So, I made the switch. I went old-school. I got an actual alarm clock.

You know, the kind that just tells the time and doesn’t remind you that Priyanka from accounting liked your cat photo at 3 a.m.

And let me tell you, it is a game changer. Waking up now feels… quieter. More human. It feels more natural. You know what I mean. I get a few precious moments to just exist in my own head before the world starts entering my space. No notifications. No news. Just me, my thoughts, and the soft hum of “What day is it again?”

Look, I am not saying I have perfected the art of sleep. I am still a card-carrying Gen Z who checks their phone the second they wake up. But not having it on my nightstand? That’s a win. I fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up without that odd weird vibration feeling.

So, here is the deal, ditch the phone alarm. Get yourself a cute little alarm clock. Give your brain a break. Who knows? You might actually wake up feeling… rested.

And if you are worried about missing out on your daily morning scroll, don’t worry. Instagram will still be there. So will Priyanka.

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