While alarm clocks do a lot of the heavy lifting, there are situations where you need to wake someone up. Maybe you live with a deep sleeper or a child who refuses to rouse early in the morning. You might also need to awaken someone with a sleep condition in the middle of a sleepwalking or sleep apnea episode. Try these methods to gently, effectively wake someone in these situations.

Waking a Deep Sleeper

You could be mean about this, using loud music or a blaring alarm, but there are kinder ways to wake a deep sleeper. It’s not their fault, after all. Some people just find it harder to emerge from sleep.

Try a combination of techniques for the best results. In addition to an alarm or music to wake them up, open blinds to let in natural light and use some gentle massage techniques to get their attention. Use their sense of smell too. Waft an essential oil near them or leave a cup of coffee on the bedside table. The more senses you can awaken, the easier it will be for them to get up.

How to Wake Somebody Up Who is Sleepwalking

There is a persistent myth that waking a sleepwalker will harm them. The more likely outcome is that they will lash out and hurt you. If possible, don’t wake them at all. Gently guide them back to bed instead.

If someone’s safety is compromised, and you need to wake a sleepwalker, do it as gently as possible. The risk is that they will be confused and disoriented, causing them to react violently.

A similar situation is when someone is having a nightmare. You want to spare them from the dream, but waking them up in the middle of something scary can leave them with lingering unease. If you want to wake someone from a nightmare, do so gently, with a soft touch and soothing words.

Alarm Alternatives

An alarm is a harsh way to start the day. Whether it’s for you or someone else, why not enjoy a gentler wake-up experience? A study of alarm tones found that people overwhelmingly prefer waking up to music. Set your radio or phone alarm to go off with a song you enjoy. Upbeat, cheerful songs are best for anyone who struggles to get going in the morning.

You can also find alarms that will wake you with light. The light glows, dimly at first, and then gets brighter. It’s a gentle way to transition from night to day. Combine with a soothing tone or music if the light isn’t enough.

Regardless of how you wake up, it will always be easier if you get a good night’s sleep first. If you or your partner struggles with sleep, try the tools on the BetterSleep app. Use the meditations to get in the right frame of mind for bed, gentle music to settle your mind, and a bedtime story to drift off to dreamland.