Frequently Asked Questions

Our sunrise alarm clock uses a gradual, warm light emitted from our Himalayan salt sphere to mimic a natural sunrise. This sunrise simulation increases the amount of light over 30 minutes, which cues your body to its wake cycle. The gradual light exposure signals to your brain to gradually release cortisol, which is the hormone that signals to your body to wake up, allowing for a more gentle wakeup than your phone alarm or traditional alarm clocks, which spike cortisol.

With a minimalist design crafted from natural materials, say goodbye to your morning phone check or before bed screen time, and hello to mental clarity and calm, steering clear of cortisol spikes triggered by harsh phone alarms and instant notifications. No hidden fees or subscriptions, only a one time payment!

We care about the life cycle of our products, which is why we create high quality, timeless pieces, using stunning natural materials (and minimal plastic) to minimize the impact of our products on the environment. Our product is crafted from Himalayan salt, natural beech wood, fabric and cork.

Each Himalayan salt sphere is hand-carved, showcasing a beautiful spectrum of natural colors, including light pink, white, and soft grey. The unique marbling, lines, and patterns are formed by natural salt deposits, ensuring that every sphere is a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Variations in color and texture are a testament to the authenticity of the salt and its natural origin, making each sphere distinct and uniquely yours.

• Improve sleep quality: Using your phone as an alarm often leads to exposure to blue light before bed, which can suppress melatonin production—the hormone responsible for regulating your sleep-wake cycle. This can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. By replacing your phone alarm with a sunrise alarm clock, you can reduce screen time in the evenings and wake up to a natural light simulation, helping to maintain a healthier sleep rhythm and improve overall sleep quality.
  
• Wake up refreshed + energized: The gentle sunrise simulation helps regulate your circadian rhythm by mimicking the gradual increase of natural morning light. This can reduce the jarring effects of traditional alarms and promote wakefulness through the release of hormones like cortisol, which help reduce fatigue and grogginess. Think less abrupt starts and more energy to begin your day!
  
• Reduce screen time: our sunrise alarm clock doesn’t rely on apps, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, so you can leave your phone out of your morning and nighttime routine. Even just 10 minutes without emails, social media, work texts, news alerts, and notifications can make a difference—giving you a calmer, less anxious start and end to your day.
  
• No seriously, disconnection: Keeping phones out of the bedroom goes beyond reducing screen time—it helps foster better sleep, lower stress, and deeper connections. The bedroom is meant to be a space for rest and intimacy, but having a phone in bed can blur those boundaries. Constant accessibility and the temptation to scroll can disrupt sleep, increase stress, and reduce meaningful connection with yourself or your partner. Creating a phone-free zone with a sunrise alarm clock allows for peaceful mornings, improved well-being, and a deeper respect for the bedroom as a place for sleep and connection.

If you can’t tell, we have lots of thoughts on this, read more on our blog!

Our sunrise alarm clock helps reduce morning stress and cortisol spikes by promoting a natural, gradual wake-up that supports your body’s circadian rhythm. Exposure to gradually increasing light in the morning activates wakefulness hormones gently, aligning with your body’s natural rhythms. This approach limits abrupt cortisol surges, often triggered by phone alarms or stressful notifications, creating a calmer start to the day. You can read more about the benefits of light exposure on our blog! Oh and here!

More of a visual and auditory learner? Check out our short video explanation here!

The simulated sunrise begins 30 minutes prior to your set alarm time, to allow your body enough time to gently wake up, feeling refreshed and ready for the day. If you are not awake by the time of your alarm, the gentle sound of birds chirping and a river flowing will begin, gradually getting louder to make sure you are fully awake.

Please note, the duration of the sunrise simulation, sound and volume are fixed options and cannot be adjusted.

*Hot Tip* If the sound is too loud, you can add a piece of felt, fabric or remove the cork footpads so it is flush with the table which will muffle the sound

At night, you can use the clock’s light as a reading lamp or gentle nightlight. Its warm, ambient glow helps ease you into sleep preparing your body for rest.

Our sunrise alarm clock is designed with one alarm setting. If you sleep in a room with someone who gets up at a different time than you, we recommend having one alarm clock per bedside table for the best sunrise simulator experience.

Our clock face has three LED display brightness levels – High, Low, and Off – for total room darkness while sleeping.

Yes, there is a snooze function. To snooze, tap the wood base touch button to snooze for 9 minutes. The light will stay on.

No subscription, apps, bluetooth or wifi necessary! We don’t believe in paid apps or monthly payments to use your basic electronics. One simple payment, no hidden costs. When we say we are keeping phones out of the bedroom, we really mean it.

Yes! Our product functions as both an alarm clock and ambient light for versatile use.

Please see our instruction video here or download the manual here.

It does need to be plugged in, but it also has a battery backup option. The batteries ( 3 x AAA [not supplied] ) serve as a backup for the alarm sound only – the salt sphere will not light up, but it will ensure the alarm goes off in the event of a power outage.

Due to the natural properties of Himalayan salt, this clock may attract moisture in high-humidity environments, which can lead to a natural phenomenon known as “sweating.”

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your clock, if you live in a high humidity environment we recommend placing it in an air-conditioned room. Leaving the light on for multiple hours a day will also help. The warmth can help reduce moisture absorption and keep the salt globe in better condition.

Regularly wiping down the salt sphere and wood base with a damp cloth will help prevent moisture buildup. For best results, elevate the clock on a tray or surface to protect your furniture and check monthly for any signs of moisture.

You can refer to our manual for more details on  maintenance + care.

No, it is an LED – it is designed to last 10-17 years of continual use, so we don’t expect you’ll ever need to replace it.

Sunrise simulator: To test the sunrise simulation, set your alarm for 30 minutes later than the current time. The light should gradually brighten before the alarm goes off. If that does not work, try the following:

Unplug the clock: Unplug it for about ten seconds and then plug it back in. This can help reset the clock functions.

Reset Button: There’s a reset button on the back of the clock—pressing it can sometimes resolve issues with the sunrise feature.

The clock face is made of cloth. The natural movement of the material over time can cause the clock face fabric to appear raised. These raised areas are normal and can be fixed by gently smoothing the area with your hand to help the fabric lay flat again, helping the cloth naturally adjust. Another step is to lightly warm the surface with a hair dryer on the lowest setting while gently smoothing the area with your hand. This should help reduce any lingering bubbles.

If this does not help or you are concerned, please reach out to hello@risecentered.com with images of the bubbling.

You can purchase our sunrise alarm clock through Rise Centered’s website, and a few choice boutiques. 

Currently, we have a limited number of clocks stocked at L'avant Gardiste in France.

Shipping cost is $15 within the United States. We use USPS Economy which is 5-8 business days. 

Shipping cost is $30 - $37 within Canada. We use FedEx International Ground which is 8 - 14 business days.

Please see our other shipping policies here.

We currently ship within the US and Canada. Shipping costs range from Free - $37. Our warehouse is based in California, so we estimate your clock will take anywhere from 5 - 14 days to arrive depending on where you are located.

For our European customers, we have a limited number of clocks stocked at L'avant Gardiste in France. You can view them here.

We accept payments through all major credit cards, Paypal and Venmo.