8 reasons why waking up 'naturally' is a terrible idea.

“It’s good for you”, they said.

Well, let me tell you something: I’ve been waking up “naturally” for the past 6 weeks, and it’s not all good.

By ‘naturally’, I mean I’ve ditched the curtains/blinds/shutters/black-out-goodness. Not by choice, mind you – I’m at the end of the renovations on my home and, well, the shutters are taking their sweet time in getting here.

The 8 benefits of being an early riser.

When I was faced with eight weeks of no window treatments, I thought, ‘Maybe this will be a good thing’. After all, for years I’ve been reading that it’s a good idea to sleep in a room without curtains.

I've always wanted to give it a go; the whole 'sunrise streaming into your room and waking you up naturally' thing is (allegedly) better for you. In fact, a study by the National Institute of Industrial Health in Japan found that when humans are forced awake by alarms there's a risk of higher blood pressure and heart rate, and over a long period of time it can lead to chronic stress.

In short, that alarm is killing you.

Why pressing the snooze button is ruining your sleep.

Sure, the thought of being woken up slowly by the gentle rays of the sunrise creeping over your bed is pleasant. But I'm here to tell you it's just that; a nice thought.

Here's what they don't tell you about sleeping with no drapes.

1. Uncovered windows in the morning means uncovered windows the entire night.

Which means if you are at all scared of someone breaking in or lurking outside your window while you sleep, every tree looks like a potential criminal.

2. Full moons.

Bright light. In your eye. All night long.

3. You will despise your neighbours (even more than you already do).

Because every time they come home late those taxi headlights will point directly at your window.

4. Noises.

That was either a possum that just ran on the fence, or a ninja about to break into the house.

5. The sun rises at 5:50am in summer.

Weekends, too.

6. Storms.

If you think your alarm jerks you awake, see what happens when lightening strikes and your entire room is lit up. Thanks, thunderstorms.

7. Your entire neighbourhood knows what you sleep in.

Or that you sleep in the buff.

8. There is no snooze button for the sun, ever.

So... just close the curtains. Trust me on this one.

Do you wake up naturally, or are you chained to your alarm?

Did that pesky sun ruin your sleep? A cheeky swipe of illuminator will wake your face up, at least: