Are you sleeping enough? Is your sleep quality satisfying? These questions can best be answered by using a tracking device to monitor your sleep.
These trackers use sensors to monitor the heart rate, body movements, respiration rate, and brainwave activity in users. Some non-wearable models provide useful data about the bedroom environment like ambient noise, room temperature, darkness, etc.
Follow the tips below to select the best tracker.
Consider the type
The initial choice to make when choosing a sleep tracker is deciding between a wearable and a non-wearable device. The former can be worn as a wristband, wristwatch, ring, or bracelet. The latter involves no contact with the person sleeping, as these are usually found under the mattress.
Moreover, watches are perhaps the most commonly used wearable device, monitoring the heart rate and respiration rate of users in the course of the night with the help of sensors. Read here about the factors that affect heart rate. These monitoring devices can be connected to a mobile application, which presents the gathered data over the night in the form of graphs. Consequently, users can notice all types of disturbances and take action to normalize slumber.
Individuals who aren’t fond of wearing a wristwatch can use a tracker in the form of a ring, which is much less obtrusive. The sensors provide information by tracking the pulse, body temperature, and movements of the person wearing the ring. These rings can also be connected to a mobile app to show visual graphics, sleep metrics, and statistics.
Apart from wristwatches and rings, there are other wearables using modern technology like smart eye masks and headbands. Both types of devices use sensors to keep track of sleep patterns and brainwave activity. The eye masks eliminate light and play relaxing music to improve sleep quality in users, whereas the headbands rely on algorithms to boost deep sleep.
Non-wearable devices, on the other hand, aren’t worn on the body but put under a mattress or built into one. The trackers placed under mattresses are incredibly thin so that users don’t find them uncomfortable while sleeping. The sensors of these devices provide information related to heart rate, snoring, respiration, and body movement. The data is visually represented on a compatible mobile app.
The advancement in technology has enabled the use of such trackers installed inside mattresses and bedding, such as smart pillows and mattress covers. There are even smart mattresses with adjusting features like temperature and firmness.
Consider the metrics
After selecting the right kind of tracker, you are advised to consider the metrics. These devices not only measure sleep but also track your sleep habits by analyzing your body’s vital signs. Advanced metrics should include total sleep, efficiency, disturbances, oxygen level, heart rate, respiration rate, etc. Sleep efficiency refers to the quality of slumber, which is supposed to approximately 85% in adults.
Moreover, these trackers keep note of the disturbances while sleeping, such as noise, bathroom breaks, drinking liquids, etc. For instance, contactless trackers are particularly effective in monitoring the bedroom environment. These systems measure air quality, ambient noise, temperature, and level of darkness. Based on the collected information, users will be advised on the type of improvements they need to make.
Additionally, most high-end trackers provide detailed analytics after monitoring your bedtimes and wake times within the past several days, weeks, and months. Some devices even provide a score at the end of the month to show how much users have followed the suggestions offered by the tracking system.
Check out the alarm feature
Prior to choosing a tracking device, make sure it has all the features you need. Some devices offer a smart alarm, allowing users to select a timeframe in the morning when they wish to wake up. Based on the already collected data, the tracker decides when it’s the right time to wake you up, preferably when entering the stage of light sleep. This link, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/light-sleeper_n_3843676, explains what makes someone a light sleeper.
Final thoughts
These tracking systems are an excellent idea for everyone who’s curious to learn what happens to his/her body while sleeping.
You might reveal useful information about your health!
