Most of us have to wake up in the mornings to get to our jobs. As painful as it is, it's just something that almost everyone has to deal with. That being said, there are a couple of easy ways of making this easier on your brain, which can be especially foggy right after being torn from deep slumber.
1. Bright Lights: Humans evolved with a circadian rhythm, meaning that we're supposed to be up when the sun rises and go to sleep when the sun sets. In order to fully wake up in the mornings, if there's not enough light streaming into my place from outside, I've started to switch on all of the lights to force myself awake. After a couple of weeks, I've noticed that it works almost as well as caffeine.
2. Switch off the Heater: When it's nice and comfy, it's a lot easier to fall asleep than when it's cold. When I get up, I switch off the heater, or at least turn it down to make my brain start working again. It's surprisingly effective, and less brutal than a cold shower. These two options have worked well to wake me up, even when I haven't had much sleep.
3. Wake Up Light App for Mac: The Philips Wake-Up Light is the alarm to get, but when you don't want to spend quite this much money on a easy way to get up, check out the Wake Up Light app available for $3.99 in the Mac App Store. In order for this to work, you'll have to position a computer screen near your head and leave your computer on. The app simulates the rising sun and just like the Philips light, it's supposed to wake you up within 30 minutes or so. You can also program some backup alarms based on sounds, to ensure that you don't oversleep.
MORE RISE AND SHINE HELP ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Philips Wake Up Light Review
• 3 Surefire Alarm Clocks for the Perpetually Late
• Waking Up 15 Minutes Earlier to Optimize Your Mornings
(Images: Flickr member Ocherdraco licensed for use under Creative Commons, Flickr member Guy Mayer licensed for use under Creative Commons and Flickr member Tony Alter licensed for use under Creative Commons)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
I love having the wake up light, its well worth every penny. Its best in the winter when its still pitch black out or when I have an early client meeting and need to wake up at 4am. Its the best money you could spend on an alarm clock
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XN4RIC/ref=asc_df_B003XN4RIC1931142?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003XN4RIC
The wake up light is really great, and I'm less grumpy in the AM!
There are also a couple of apps for the iPad (probably for the other iOS-Devices too), like "Wake-up lite", which imitates sunrise by brightening the screen and plays a sound (eg. from tweeting birds). It's also available in a free version:
- iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/wake-up-lite-hd/id420153868
- iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/wake-up-lite/id349866558
I'm pretty sure there are similar apps available for android.
(it could be easier to have one of those devices next to your bed than something like a mac)
We have a SAD light and I find it better than caffeine for actually making me work. It literally feels like there is an electric charge being applied to my brain. Our cat sleeps on our desk with his head immediately in front of it, which I find odd.
I'm the typical B person who hates getting up in the morning when the bed is my best friend. The best method I've found to help me wake up in the morning is to go early to bed. :)