I have "Warm Window" coverings in my bedroom. I opted for those for energy
conservation since we live in an old, drafty house. In the warmer weather,
it also helps keep the bedroom cooler. I have curtain liners on the large
livingroom window. These are closed at night in real cold weather and during
the day in hot weather. Otherwise, the light filters into the livingroom
which is adjacent to the bedroom. This gradually increases the light in the
bedroom in a more natural way. I have seen, and thought about getting, an
alarm clock that wakes you up by gradually increasing the light in the
room...don't remember where I saw these. For those of us with jobs requiring
a specific wake up time, this might be less intrusive than a traditional
alarm clock.

Just my 2¢ on this subject. I also am reading the book "Lights Out: Sleep,
Sugar, and Survival" and see that changes in my sleeping patterns would be a
benefit to me overall health.

Betty Ann
mailto:[log in to unmask]

"In a cat's eyes, all things belong to cats."

-----Original Message-----
From:   Paleolithic Eating Support List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrienne Smith
Sent:   Thursday, June 07, 2001 8:16 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: [P-F] Question on Sleep Needs during the seasons

I flipped through this book at the bookstore and decided to try some of the
suggestions such as blocking out more light in our bedroom and covering
digital clocks etc.  I live in a NYC highrise and it occured to me that even
with the venetion blinds down, a great deal of skyscraper lights shine
through.  So I bought the blackout shades and I've noticed MUCH more intense
dreams.  I'm wondering if this is because of increased melatonin production?
Any way, I did this in the winter, and now that it is summer, I'm wondering
if the bedroom is too dark.  With the shades up, a room naturally gets
gradually lighter during the morning hours, but now, with the blackout
shades, the room stays quite dark.  Thoughts?