The Impact of Sleep Tracking Devices on Sleep Health

Sleep tracking technology describes a varying category of technological devices capable of measuring components and factors related to sleep. They come in a variety of forms, in terms of what they measure and in terms of how they function.

Many sleep trackers are wearable, with individuals putting them on their wrist or as a headband, while others may be placed on the pillow or a bedside table. In terms of their measurements, they may determine the duration of an individual’s sleep, recording when they fall asleep at night and when they wake in the morning.

Other devices may be used to monitor the environmental factors that typically affect sleep hygiene, such as the temperature in the bedroom or the amount of light in the room.

Additionally, they can be utilized to track lifestyle factors such as how much caffeine an individual has had, their stress levels, when they’ve eaten, and other factors that can influence the quality of an individual’s sleep.

Sleep tracking technology can provide individuals with a wide range of information concerning the quality of their sleep, their sleep habits, and other factors.

The extent to which they can accurately measure different stages of sleep varies according to the specific sleep tracker; however, it is certainly possible to glean information concerning the different stages of sleep through sleep trackers when an individual’s sleep state goes through cycles of sleep including light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep, and more.

By looking at heart rate changes as an individual sleeps, some sleep tracking devices can measure different stages of sleep. Sleep trackers tend to be more accurate in identifying time spent asleep versus wakefulness than they are necessarily in determining the exact stage of a patient’s sleep.

Sleep tracking technology can help you understand sleep patterns and improve sleep quality in a myriad of ways by identifying and monitoring quality sleep. In order to make improvements, sleep tracking technology can help identify areas of potential concern among sleep habits which can lead to a customized treatment plan to address these concerns.

Whether it reveals information to patients about insufficient time spent asleep, trends in their sleep behavior or an assessment of the quality of an individual’s sleep and how long they spent in each phase, can all provide valuable information on a baseline of what the potential area of concern is.

In other cases, they can provide information that can lead to the identification of a sleep disorder or an individual’s habits as they pertain to things such as screen time or caffeine, which can adversely impact sleep.

Sleep tracking technology for monitoring sleep patterns is associated with a wide range of benefits. However, it is not without some drawbacks, particularly as it pertains to the limitations associated with them.

The specific limitations of the sleep tracking technology will depend on the type of technology an individual uses and what they’re trying to measure, among several other individual circumstances.

However, in some cases, sleep tracking technology will struggle to effectively differentiate between deep sleep, light sleep, and REM sleep. In addition, sleep trackers can provide a distraction on their own. Individuals may feel a temptation to check their sleep monitor during the night to monitor their progress if they wake up.

This is counterintuitive, as it can also lead to adverse effects on sleep effectiveness. And then additionally, by focusing on the numbers and metrics of sleep, individuals may distract themselves from listening to their bodies and underlying issues affecting the sleep cycle. Individuals interested in sleep tracking devices should consult sleep experts, such as those at the Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders to be directed towards the most effective options for their specific needs that are reliable and accurate.

Sleep services are available at the Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders. Visit us online now to learn more about our services and for directions to our locations! We also encourage everyone to visit us online to meet our team and to sign up for our special offers!