NatNews

Some individuals can train their bodies to wake up naturally when they need to, while others need the sound of only one alarm to interrupt their dreams. Then there are some people who need two or more alarms to get up, while others sleep through 13 different alarms and miss an important morning event.

Per the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, approximately one in three adults does not get enough sleep each night, which can impact one’s health and well-being. Sleep deprivation can also be one cause of not easily waking up to alarms, but that’s an issue that Dallas resident Kirsten Kraske, who only needs the sound of one alarm each morning, doesn’t have.

“I think I wake up easily because I’m naturally a morning person,” she said. “I’m also fairly firm on going to bed around 9–10 p.m., so it makes it easier to wake up.”

According to Duke Health, having a consistent bedtime every night, in conjunction with getting an adequate amount of sleep, can help lead to better overall mental and physical health. New York City resident Alicia Wyatt said she often doesn’t get enough sleep but is making more concerted efforts to do so. She sets two alarms to wake up—one on her phone for earlier that allows her to hit “snooze” and one on her watch that is her drop-dead-have-to-get-up time.

“I learned that setting two alarms lets me wake up slowly (as my body prefers) but also get up on time,” she said. “Now that I’m older and dealing with perimenopause, my sleep has become even more irregular, so I really try to listen to what my body needs more than I did 10 years ago.”

If you’re someone who needs a little more alarm security, you’re not alone. According to a recent NatNews research initiative, even though 40 percent of dear readers who participated in the online survey indicated that they only need one alarm, 26 percent said they need a couple or a few, and 19 percent don’t even set alarms, a strong 14 percent said the limit does not exist in the amount of alarms they use. Dallas-area resident David Recker said he sets four or five alarms but typically hops out of bed after the second one.

“Having four or five is more of a safety net because a few random times I’ve turned alarms off in my sleep—not just snoozed but fully turned off—so the extra alarms come in handy sometimes,” he said. “I normally wake up easily enough from my alarms, but those few isolated incidents mean I rest easier knowing I have backups for my backups. Also, waking up at 4 a.m. five to six times a week to run is rough by any standards, so having the safety net helps me stay accountable.”

Aside from how many alarms people set each morning, individuals also have different preferences regarding how they set their alarms in terms of numbers—whether on random numbers, in increments of five, etc. Kraske said she typically sets her alarms on what she refers to as “more standard times.”

“I think I do this because it only takes me one alarm to wake up, so I know I have 15 minutes to get out of the house,” she said. “I think I also tend to see the world fairly black and white, and numbers in five-minute increments are satisfying in a way. It’s the same thing for volume—that’s always at an even number or on an increment of five.”

Like Kraske, Recker also tends to operate in increments of five, though he said he is not exactly sure why.

“Some may call it a minor OCD tick, but I’m not diagnosed, so I don’t call it that,” he said. “Coincidentally, I have a similar tick with volume control—it always has to be an increment of five or an even number.”

Wyatt, on the other hand, said she generally has alarms set at more random times.

“Snooze is usually nine minutes long, so I calculate backward, depending on when I really want to get up,” she said. “For instance, if I want to get up at 6:30, then I’ll set my watch alarm for 6:30 and my other alarm for 6:12 so that I can hit snooze twice before the real alarm goes off. How much snooze time I build in depends on how tired I am. I also sometimes set my first alarm an hour early so that I can slowly get up and enjoy a cup of coffee before I have to actually start getting ready to go.”

Many individuals believe that a person’s habits, even what numbers someone chooses when setting alarms, can reveal characteristics of his or her personality—such as the suggestion that setting an alarm on more random numbers could indicate a disregard for routine, a lack of structure, or a desire for spontaneity. Kraske said she does think a person’s alarm options can be quite telling. 

“I think if you’re setting one alarm and setting it in standard times, you’re likely more of a Type A person,” she said. “If you’re someone who’s setting multiple alarms and at various times, I’d say you’re likely more of a Type B person.”

Recker, however, said he doesn’t believe that there is a correlation, particularly when it comes to the number of alarms a person uses to wake up.

“Anecdotally, I know people who set multiple alarms who are hyper-organized like myself, and some who set multiple alarms who fly by the seat of their pants.”

Some people choose to set their alarms on numbers that have significance to them or on “angel numbers” (e.g., 4:44 or 5:55), and they also may choose to set a certain number of alarms for a similar reason (e.g., they like the number three, so they set three alarms). Wyatt said she believes that everyone has different sleep patterns and accommodates to what his or her body needs and that those needs can certainly change over time.

“People who go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time tend to need less of an ‘alarm’ because their bodies are already in that rhythm,” she said. “I’ve had a friend who could sleep through five alarms and people jumping on his bed and friends who woke at the slightest creak of sound. I don’t think what type of alarm you have to use defines a person’s personality but more often has to do with their sleep routine habits and maybe their anxiety levels.”

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While it may be rather difficult to go more than a few miles without seeing a Starbucks in Dallas, it’s not necessarily the go-to coffee shop for everyone. In fact, the city has plenty of other choices to offer when one is seeking a cup of joe (or latte or other fancy coffee-ish drink of some sort).

However, coffee shops are becoming more popular and appealing to non-coffee drinkers, as well. For some, such locations allow individuals to spend time alone or with others in a comfortable, peaceful setting. Dallas resident Craig Borkenhagen, who is a fan of Houndstooth on Henderson, said he typically spends some time at a coffee shop five or six days each week.

“It’s such a core part of my routine now,” he said. “I’m there primarily for my ‘quiet time,’ when I pray, read my Bible and other devotionals or books, and meditate. However, I know most of the regulars at my spot now, so I’m often also chatting with them, and I sometimes meet friends there for catch-up chats.”

Like Borkenhagen, Dallas resident Adnaloy Nuñez has also made a habit out of visiting coffee shops on a regular basis and said she usually does so once or twice every week.

“As a ‘caraqueña,’ a good coffee is a must in my life, so I go to coffee shops to combine coffee with a good book or just taste it while I’m studying,” she said. “I also love going with friends after a Sunday family lunch or with my husband.”

While Nuñez said it’s a difficult decision to say which place has the best coffee, she believes that El Portón Coffee stands out among the rest.

“This coffee shop is a gem,” she said. “You can find well-made coffee by the owners, as the beans are from local farmers from El Salvador (where the owners are from). I cannot forget to mention their empanadas (they are amazing) and the decorations. The place is very cozy with nice music, art, and plants around you. It’s the perfect place for studying, going with friends, or just relaxing.”

For Borkenhagen, his go-to Houndstooth tops his list for coffee quality.

“They rotate a couple different house coffees that are fantastic, and the baristas are friendly and very knowledgeable,” he said. “It’s got a good mix of people, too—both regulars and not.”

And while he acknowledges that there are other quality coffee shops in Dallas, Borkenhagen still would suggest Houndstooth for someone who is looking to enjoy beverages, including those that aren’t coffee-based, and a friendly environment.

“I don’t know if there is a ‘best’—it all depends on what vibe or atmosphere you are looking for,” he said. “LDU is nice—it has a younger crowd but can get very loud. I know lots of people like La La Land, but I don’t like their coffee as much. Houndstooth has the right mix of everything for me—drinks, vibes, and people. They have non-coffee options, as well.”

Coffee shops certainly can vary in appeal for each individual, depending on what type of vibe, setting, and food and beverage options he or she is seeking. Nuñez recommends Village Baking Co. for an ideal place for people to meet up, regardless of whether they are drinking coffee or prefer something else.

“Village Baking Co. not only prepares a good coffee but also has French pastries, which makes it a good spot for going with your friends after a long walk, to take a fast breakfast, or for a dessert after your lunch,” she said. “It is pet-friendly, so going there is a compilation of good coffee, snacks, and good vibes.”

Additional options for those seeking mellow and inviting atmospheres include Opening Bell Coffee (eclectic setting with live acoustic performances most nights), The Meteor (an all-day café and bike shop), Read Shop (a two-story combination bookstore and coffee shop on Henderson), Merit Coffee (multiple locations with a mission to be a light in the community and a bright spot in someone’s day), Sugar & Sage Bakery (a local family-owned establishment with sweet treats and coffee crafted by Dallas-based Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters), Berkley’s Market (multiple locations with options for coffee, tea, prepared foods, beer, and wine), and Slow and Steady Coffee (a home converted into a laid-back coffee shop in Oak Cliff).

Whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, most of the coffee shops in Dallas offer alternative beverages, a variety of snacks, and charming atmospheres that will allow you to chat with friends and loved ones, decide if you want another date with the person sitting across the table from you, or work in the wild.

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

One of the youngest NatNews dear readers was extremely proud to talk about her purple guitar to her class during show and tell

Monday, March 10: Your 101 to Young Professional Groups at Communities Foundation of Texas
Tuesday, March 11: Free Rooftop Movie — Twilight at Sundown at Granada; Andy Grammer at The Factory in Deep Ellum; Dallasites101 Speed Dating & Singles Mixer (ages 40–50) at Happiest Hour; Ted Lasso Trivia at Legacy Hall
Wednesday, March 12: Line Dancing at the Latina Cultural Center; World Glaucoma Day
Thursday, March 13: Free Rooftop Movie — Wicked (sing-along version) at Sundown at Granada; Party 101 with Matt Bennett at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
Friday, March 14: Candlelight — Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas; Rachel Feinstein at Dallas Comedy Club (also on Saturday)
Saturday, March 15: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; St. Paddy's Day Dash; 2025 Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival on Greenville Avenue; Deftones at the American Airlines Center
Sunday, March 16: Community Beer Co. Cycling Group Ride; Texas Street Food Festival at Texas Live! (also on Saturday)