Mars is National Sleep Awareness Month.
Sleep… an elusive sleep. It’s an indispensable, but somehow complicated, part of life, especially if you’re perimenopause. Fortunately, as with many things these days, we have the technology to help us figure it out. Enter sleep trackers.
Many people use smartwatches to track their sleep. But some people (OK, me) don’t like wearing a smartwatch to bed. It just seems strange – like it should fit in a jewelry box at the end of the day. But if that happened, how would I know my sleep score? How could I feel superior to my partner because of this sleep score? What would I talk about? (OK, those are issues for another time.)
It turns out there are plenty of wrist-free devices to help analyze sleep. From the 80s style headband to the thin mat slipped under the mattress, technology is gaining momentum in the name of good sleep.
If you’ve never tracked your sleep cycle and are wondering what it is, sleep trackers can provide you with important information about your sleep quality. If you wake up feeling tired and don’t know why, a sleep tracker can help you figure out what’s going on.
For example, people with Sleep Apnea you may not know they have it, but it is very dangerous because it causes irregular breathing or can even stop you from breathing while you sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious health problems.
About 1 in 10 women in the United States to have Sleep Apnea. And now there’s a tracker for that: Samsung recently added a sleep apnea detection feature to its health monitoring app for the Samsung Galaxy Watch. This feature was approved by the FDA in February – a first for the sleep tracking industry and a step forward in raising awareness of sleep disorders.
Read: The day after a bad day of sleep >>
Sleep trackers can also help you and your doctor identify underlying health conditions and lifestyle choices that may be negatively impacting your sleep. In honor of Sleep Awareness Month, here are some unique, wrist-free devices to consider.
Headbands
Brain sensors are the secret ingredient in these smart headbands. Muse Headband (around $450) analyzes brain activity and then plays soothing sounds through headphones to help you sleep. On-demand analysis, sleep scores, and personal guidance are some of the takeaways when using the headband. Philips SmartSleep Deep Sleep Headband ($399.99) has two sensors to detect when you’re sleeping soundly. The algorithm then triggers slow audio waves to improve sleep quality. Fun fact: The headband was chosen by a NASA-funded institute for studies aimed at improving astronauts’ sleep.
Rings
Smart rings track your sleep like your smartwatch, but from a band around your finger. Advanced sleep tracking options include Oura ring (starting at $299) and the SleepOn Go2sleep ($89). The titanium Oura Ring is so awake that it can tell if your snack or late-night activity has impacted your sleep quality. The ring also measures blood oxygen levels and offers personalized advice to improve your sleep score. Unintentional bonus: The Oura ring will hold your finger when you had a bad dream. Speaking of aliens, the AI-powered Go2sleep ring gives serious UFO vibes. The oval-shaped tracker is worn on the palm of your hand, where sensors monitor sleep down to the second for a more comprehensive look at patterns and possible problems. Detailed reports help you understand what it all means. For those who don’t want to put a ring on it, the Go2sleep SE goes on the tip of your finger.
Carpet
Anti-portable? Pro-simplicity? A sleep tracking mat is probably right for you. Simply place the mat under your mattress or topper, jump into bed and catch some ZZZs. The mat’s sensors will track important details like breathing rate and heart rate while you sleep. For additional benefits, the Sleep Tracking Mat from Withings ($129) has a snore detector and a home automation option so you can control lights and other smart home devices when you get in and out of bed. If hot flashes keep you up at night, or if you’re just hot, the Chilipad Dock Pro Sleep System ($199) uses AI to adjust bed temperature in real time.
Smart Bedside Devices
For something you don’t have to put on or worry about after a quick setup, an all-in-one sleep tracking device may be a good option. Google Nest Hub ($79.99 per year) offers a sleep detection feature that uses a miniature radar to detect movement. Basically, from your device on the side of your bed, it knows when you toss and turn. It also has microphones to capture snoring and breathing problems, as well as light and temperature sensors. The next morning, a recap and tips for sleeping better will be ready on screen. Your smartphone can also serve as a bedside sleep tracker. For example, free Sleep score And Close eyes The apps record breathing and report the results in the morning. And we know that a good night’s sleep can help you feel refreshed in the morning. Sweet Dreams!
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