How can Helen wake up on time?

A little while ago, Helen said on the show that she had trouble getting up in the morning, and that in particular she hates alarms which wake her suddenly. This spawned a huge email response with possible solutions for her, including:

Jen Brokeman in Columbia recommends a system that uses natural sounds which gradually get louder to wake you gently.

Also Kara Sentance, Catherine Meissner in Washington and Martyn Holden in Scandinavia, all suggested an alarm clock which has a progressive light, which switches on 30 minutes before you want to wake up, and gradually increases in brightness - like having a sunrise on your bedside table!

Thanks everyone!