Dodow is a light metronome designed by Livlab, a team of insomniacs, designers, and entrepreneurs, with the mission to improve sleep. It offers a natural solution for falling asleep by retraining your brain to do so without medication. The device projects a blue light beam onto the ceiling, which users synchronize their breathing with to facilitate relaxation and sleep.
Function Description
Dodow's primary function is to help users fall asleep by guiding their breathing through a projected light metronome. It aims to restore the balance of the autonomic nervous system, which is often disturbed when experiencing difficulty falling asleep. By promoting slow and regular breathing, Dodow stimulates the baroreflex, a physiological mechanism that induces relaxation. This process helps to slow down metabolism, reduce the secretion of stimulating neurotransmitters, and make the body less receptive to thoughts and ambient noise, leading to a "rest and digest" state conducive to sleep.
Usage Features
Dodow offers two breathing modes: an 8-minute mode and a 20-minute mode.
- Activating Dodow:
- To activate the 8-minute mode, simply touch the touchpad once.
- To activate the 20-minute mode, touch the touchpad twice. If you are already in the 8-minute mode and wish to switch to the 20-minute mode without restarting the exercise, you can touch the touchpad twice again.
- Falling Asleep with Dodow:
- Starting Off: Place Dodow within reach and activate either the 8 or 20-minute mode.
- Breathing Synchronization: Focus on the blue light beam projected onto the ceiling and gently synchronize your breathing with its expansion and retraction. Inhale when the light expands and exhale when it retracts. The exhalation phase is deliberately longer than the inhalation, which helps release more CO2, leading to vasoconstriction and a sensation of tiredness.
- Abdominal Breathing: Breathe with your lower abdomen (abdominal breathing). The goal is to remain passive and avoid forcing yourself to sleep. Dodow speeds up the natural process of falling asleep. To aid this, gently focus your attention on the lower part of your abdomen (below the navel) and try to feel the sensations in that area. Focusing on the lower abdomen increases blood flow to that region, decreasing blood supply to the brain, which slows brain activity and reduces agitation.
- Falling Asleep: Sleep will come naturally during or shortly after the exercise. Dodow will automatically shut down at the end of each exercise.
- Turning Dodow Off: Dodow automatically shuts down at the end of each exercise. However, you can switch it off beforehand by pressing on the touchpad with your finger for 3 seconds.
- Brightness Settings: If the projected light's brightness is not suitable, you can adjust it. First, ensure Dodow is off.
- Activate Settings Mode: Press down lightly on the touchpad with your finger for 3 seconds until the LEDs light up (they should not be flashing).
- Choose Brightness: Touch the touchpad to cycle through the three available brightness settings.
- Confirm Choice: Press down on the touchpad with your finger for 3 seconds until the LEDs turn off to confirm your selection.
- Additional Exercises:
- Focusing on Your Lower Abdomen: While synchronizing your breathing with Dodow's light, gently focus on the lower part of your abdomen. Try to feel the sensations there. You can divide your attention: 50% on synchronizing breathing with the light, 25% on feeling sensations in your lower abdomen, and 25% on other uncontrollable sensations.
- Mental Saturation (for those who think too much): This exercise aims to create a diversion less stimulating than your thoughts. While synchronizing breathing, silently repeat "Inhale" when breathing in and "Exhale" when breathing out. If this is difficult, try repeating "1" for inhalation and "2" for exhalation, or simply "A" for both. Adjust the time it takes to say the words to match the duration of inhalation and exhalation, enunciating slower for longer breaths.
- Focusing on the Light (for persistent struggles): If breathing exercises are still challenging after four sessions, focus on the hypnotic power of the light's varying intensity and use visual focus to occupy your brain. Do not try to synchronize breathing with the light. Instead, keep your eyes open and focus on the variation of the luminous intensity, dedicating about 70% of your attention to it. Notice your pupils widening as the halo expands and retracting as it shrinks. Allow your mind to be distracted by the light's rhythm on the ceiling, but avoid concentrating too intently to prevent headaches.
- FAQ Highlights:
- Inhale/Exhale with Light: Inhale when the halo expands, exhale when it retracts.
- Longer Exhalation: This is normal and deliberate to promote CO2 release, vasoconstriction, and a sensation of tiredness.
- Focus of Attention: Part of your attention will naturally follow the light and pace. Direct the rest to your lower abdomen gently, without exertion, adopting a passive attitude.
- Stopping Thoughts: Trying to stop thoughts is counter-productive. Dodow helps you let go of thoughts after about 8 minutes, making them less of an obstacle.
- Closing Eyes/Changing Position: Try to continue the exercise as long as possible. Feeling tired doesn't mean you'll fall asleep immediately. Paradoxically, striving to stay awake can help you fall asleep quicker.
- Disturbing Others: If the other person's eyes are closed, they won't be disturbed. If they join the exercise, they may fall asleep quickly too.
- First Attempt Failure: It's normal for the first attempt not to be conclusive. Allow one or two nights to get used to Dodow.
- Sleeping on Your Back: Lying on your back increases receptiveness to Dodow's benefits. If you prefer to sleep on your side, complete the exercise on your back and then switch to your usual position if still awake.
Maintenance Features
- Inserting/Changing Batteries: Dodow's light will flash when the batteries are dead. The device uses 3 AAA LR03 batteries. To change them, open the lid (indicated by an "Open" arrow) and replace the batteries.
- Troubleshooting (Device Not Functioning/Turning On): If Dodow doesn't seem to function properly or won't turn on, try resetting it by removing the batteries and then putting them back in.
Warranty & Disclaimer
Dodow comes with a two-year warranty against hidden defects. Returns under warranty require prior agreement from LIVLAB. For manufacturing defects rendering the product unusable, contact LIVLAB After Sales Service at support@mydodow.com. LIVLAB will provide a free replacement or refund if the product is out of stock or irreparable. Defective products must be returned in original packaging with all parts and accessories. Incomplete, damaged, or deteriorated products will not be accepted for return or exchange.
Disclaimer: Consult a physician before using Dodow if you have serious medical conditions or have recently undergone surgery of the abdomen or thorax. Dodow is not a medical device.
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