I like gadgets, and especially clocks. I heard about an alarm clock that wakens you gently, first with a light that comes on and then with nature sounds that gradually get louder, until finally the actual alarm goes off. It even has a place to put scented beads (coffee smell, or whatever else) that are activated by the light. I had to have it. I made a special trip to find one, and spent some of my Christmas money, but it was worth it. It worked great for awhile. Then something happened. First it became erratic, functioning fine at times and not at others. Now the light still works, but the alarm is a pathetic weak sound that has virtually no chance of waking me up. I still use it in conjunction with another, more conventional alarm clock (although it does update with a radio signal which is pretty cool) However, it’s no longer the smooth, gentle process that it was for awhile.
I’m not a person that wakes up easily. It’s something of a struggle for me. Oh, I wish waking up were easier.
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You may want to try a “Zen” alarm clock (http://www.now-zen.com/)- I had issues too but this “gradual” method did the trick. You can even pick the “key” of the chime. All the best.