Observe how long it takes from initially regaining conciousness to being fully awake, and adjust the alarm clock sound accordingly.

So if it takes five minutes to awake play a five minute audio track.

For example, in line with Life Hack #12 the audio track could be a farm yard. The track gradually increasing in volume, and possibly culminating with a cockerel crowing. A crowing cockerel is a natural noise acting as a fail-safe if there is a waking deadline.  I find it is less stress producing than using artificial electronic sounds.

Classical music has also been found to be useful in this regard.

Whatever track is chosen it creates a smoother transition into conciousness, and thus a better start to the day than would otherwise be the case.

We awake in a state of alarm.

Not really an ideal start to any day – being shocked into conciousness. I’d also hazard a guess that we naturally rebel against this by hitting “snooze”, rolling over, and trying to recover the calmer state we have just been experiencing.

Is there’s a better way of waking up at a set time and not in a state of alarm? I think so.

Instead of using an alarming artificial sound, try using an audio track of birds singing (basically any natural background sounds) that slowly increase in volume over time. The soothing sounds eases you from a rested state into a refreshed one, ready to take on the day. Much more helpful than receiving an alarming shot of adrenaline into the bloodstream before the mental faculties are fully functioning, as is normally the case.

This can be combined with other techniques such as leaving the curtains open, so the natural morning light can assist also.