Morning Alarms

[Donna Sch]

I normally wake up at 5:15 am so I can get an early start and that's a habit I'd like to continue on the VDLP since I'll be there in summer to take advantage of cooler temps. Coming from downunder and arriving in Barcelona on the 8th of June after a 24 hour flight and then having to scoot down to Seville with only one full rest day there, I expect my sleep cycle to be completely up the wop. Now I am used to dealing with minimal sleep over 24 hours thanks to having to do on call work in my job but this is a huge stress on the body and will take a few days to adjust to different daylight hours etc ( I live close to the equator). So I will need an alarm to re-establish my normal cycle. But I don't want to wake up everyone else in the room. My normal phone alarm is quite loud and vibrates and I am quick to shut it off but it will wake up more than me. I'm not sure if the vibrate alone will do the job. How good are those fitness bands and which ones do the best job? Just trying to think of options.

 

[StevethePlanner]

Thanks for being considerate of your pilgrim roommates with your alarm. When I have a big time zone change, I use Melatonin 3mg. I'm bringing just 3-4 pills with me, that should be enough days. It helps the body reset it's natural clock and helps you sleep. I figure when I want to get up and backup 10 hours. No druggie hangover. It's not a sleeping pill, but helps you sleep more soundly. And if you're concerned about Vibrate Only not waking you up, set multiple alarms 5 minutes apart. Besides, if you get up a little later than you want, it's no big deal. You're on the Camino.

 

[annakappa]

Why don't you just ask a couple of your dorm mates to wake you ( and make sure you don't fall back asleep again)!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I'm not sure if the vibrate alone will do the job.

Can you test that at home? The Camino is not the best place to try something for the first time!

 

[Donna Sch]

Can you test that at home? The Camino is not the best place to try something for the first time!

It's the one I always sleep though when I am dead tired.

 

[Angelo]

Hi Donna,
If you sleep in Albergues, the sad fact is that you will wake up to the noise as the early risers get ready to leave at first light. No need for alarm clocks.
I set my watch to Spanish time as soon as I stepped on the plane in Sydney. It helped. But coming back from Europe is a different story. It took a few days before I got over the jet lag.
Buen Camino!