Eventually you reach this certain point in time where you simply can’t allow yourself to sleep anymore. You have already slept through the time you normally reserve for having breakfast and taking a shower. So you come to work hungry, smelling and looking like shit. Obviously – you don’t want that. This is what used to happen to me all the time. I am one of those people who simply can’t convince their body to stand up in the morning while the brain is still asleep. Only something really urgent can make me stand up in the morning after the smartphone alarm goes off. I’m sure that you also have experience something like this in life. And now you ask me: “Is there maybe something that can help me to wake up in the morning and immediately stand up out of bed?” Well. I’m glad you asked. The answer is – YES! There is!
NFC Tags Will Get You Out Of Bed
Just a few days ago I have ordered a set of NFC tags and wondered what I could do with them. I already have tried everything from our post about creative uses for NFC tags, but something was still missing. I though why not try to use NFC tags to get out of bed? And this is where I found an app that can do exactly that – Puzzle Alarm Clock. Puzzle Alarm is an Android app that allows you to set alarms on your smartphone. Not only regular ones, but with puzzles (and with a beautiful UI). When setting your alarm you can choose how you want to challenge yourself in the morning to wake up. There are 5 different alarm options:
1. Touch
This is basically a “regular” alarm clock mode, where you hear the alarm and have the option to either stop it or snooze for 5, 10 or 15 minutes
2. Shake
Pretty much self-explanatory. An interesting thing, though: you can set the required shake strength and number of shakes which you will need to stop the alarm. A nice aggressive start in the morning.
3. Puzzle
This is where it gets tricky. You can choose from 4 modes here, in 3 different difficulty levels: Colors and shapes (you have to repeat a sequence of different ones), memory cards, math equations or “Write Code” (which is something like a capcha).
4. NFC
This one is my absolute favorite. When your alarm goes off you will actually need to stand up and scan an NFC tag with your phone. I have placed an NFC tag in my bathroom. So if I want to turn off my alarm I have to stand up, go to the bathroom and scan the tag. If you use this method, try placing the NFC tag somewhere outside of your bedroom, as far as possible away from your bed. It works. Really. If you don’t have NFC tags, I recommend these.
5. QR Code
The QR code “puzzle” does more or less the same thing as the NFC mode, but instead of scanning an NFC tag you have to scan a QR code. Especially handy if your Android phone isn’t NFC enabled.
And There Is More
Some people are very clever though. They solve the puzzle or scan the NFC tag and go back to bed. For these people Puzzle Alarm Clock added a function, which sends you a notification to check if you’re actually awake. If you don’t tap on the notification the alarm will go off again. Genius. And it doesn’t end there. In addition to one of the above mentioned morning-challenges you can add another “layer of motivation”. Puzzle Alarm Clock has a function called Facebook motivation. Quoting the app: If this doesn’t wake you up – I don’t know what will. I really recommend you to give this app a shot. Puzzle Alarm Clock is the only app that makes me stand up on time in the morning. I’m sure you will like it. Please check out the app and tell us about your experience in the comments.
