Key Takeaways
- Potential Benefits vs. Accuracy Limitations: Wearable sleep trackers can increase awareness of sleep patterns and motivate better sleep habits. However, their accuracy is limited compared to clinical sleep studies, often overestimating sleep time and struggling with precise sleep stage identification.
- Effective Usage Strategies: Focus on long-term trends rather than daily fluctuations, and combine tracker data with sleep diaries for a more comprehensive view. Use trackers consistently to establish a personal baseline, but remember they’re tools for self-awareness, not substitutes for medical advice.
- Evolving Technology with Promising Future: While current devices have limitations, ongoing research is likely to improve accuracy and functionality over time. The future of sleep tracking looks promising, but users should remain mindful of privacy concerns and avoid becoming overly anxious about sleep data.
Picture a tiny gadget, no bigger than a wristwatch or a fancy ring, that claims to know more about your sleep than your significant other (including that embarrassing snore-fest you swear never happened).
These modern-day sleep whisperers have taken the world by storm, turning millions of us into amateur sleep scientists overnight. They promise to track every toss, turn, and REM cycle with the precision of a Swiss watch.
From fitness buffs obsessing over their sleep scores to curious cats just trying to figure out why they feel like zombies every morning, wearable sleep trackers have become the must-have accessory for anyone who’s ever wondered about the quality of their shut-eye.
But are they the key to unlocking the secrets of superior slumber, or just another techy trend that’s keeping us up at night?
How Does It Work?
While wearable sleep trackers have become increasingly sophisticated, it’s important to note that they are estimating sleep based on indirect measurements. They cannot directly measure brain activity like polysomnography Verified Source Medline Plus Online resource offered by the National Library of Medicine and part of the National Institutes of Health. View source which remains the gold standard for sleep measurement.
As a result, sleep tracker accuracy can vary, especially in detecting wake periods during sleep and in people with sleep disorders or unusual sleep patterns.
Specific technologies may vary between devices, but most wearables employ similar principles to track sleep.
Accelerometry
The primary technology in most wearable sleep trackers is an accelerometers Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source This sensor detects movement and is the basis for determining sleep and wake periods.
The general assumption is that less movement indicates sleep, while more movement suggests wakefulness. Yes, this does make it quite limited Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source on its own.
Still, accelerometers in modern devices are typically tri-axial, meaning they can detect motion in three dimensions. This allows for more nuanced movement detection, potentially improving accuracy in sleep/wake discrimination.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Many wearables use Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source photoplethysmography (PPG) to measure heart rate. This technology uses LED lights and light-sensitive photodiodes to detect blood volume changes in the microvascular tissue.
During sleep, heart rate typically decreases and becomes more regular. Your measured heart rate as you sleep supplements accelerometer data in determining sleep stages and quality.
Sleep expert Dr. Jing Zhang points out that traditionally, sleep researchers have focused on brain activity to study sleep, but emerging research suggests that heart rate plays a crucial role as well. Different heart rate patterns occur during various sleep stages, and we’re getting better at knowing what kind of heart rate corresponds to what sleep stage, which can help wearable devices detect sleep more accurately.
Additional Sensors
Some advanced wearables incorporate additional sensors to refine sleep tracking:
- Temperature sensors: Measure skin temperature, which tends to change during different sleep stages.
- Electrodermal activity sensors: Detect changes in skin conductance, which can indicate stress or arousal levels.
- Ambient light sensors: Help determine the light conditions during sleep.
Algorithms and Machine Learning
The raw data from these sensors is processed using proprietary algorithms to estimate sleep metrics. Many modern devices employ machine learning techniques, trained on polysomnography data, to improve accuracy in detecting sleep stages and patterns.
What Sleep Trackers Measure
Ever wondered what those fancy wrist gadgets are doing while you’re lost in dreamland? Well, wearable trackers can supposedly measure a variety of sleep-related metrics. While the specific measurements can vary between devices, most trackers attempt to quantify the following:
Total Sleep Time (TST)
This measures how long you’ve actually been sleeping. Simple enough.
Sleep Latency
This measures how long it takes a person to transition from full wakefulness to sleep after going to bed. Also known as “time to fall asleep,” or on those too-long nights, “why can’t I fall asleep?
Pro tip: Scrolling on your phone before bed doesn’t help this number.”
Sleep Efficiency
This is calculated as the percentage of time spent asleep compared to the total time in bed. A higher percentage indicates more efficient sleep.
Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO)
This measures the amount of time spent awake after initially falling asleep and before final awakening. It’s an indicator of sleep fragmentation or disturbance.
For those nights when you’re playing an unintentional game of “wake up and wonder what time it is” from sleep interruptions.
Sleep Stages
Many advanced trackers claim to differentiate between different sleep stages, telling you how much time you spent in light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep.
Heart Rate
Many trackers monitor heart rate throughout the night, providing average, minimum, and maximum heart rates during sleep. For when you want to know if that nightmare about public speaking genuinely got your heart racing.
Heart rate variability is tracked as well. As the term suggests, it refers to the variation in time between heartbeats, which has been shown as a reliable indicator of stress and recovery during sleep.
Breathing Rate
Some advanced trackers claim to measure respiratory rate during sleep, which can be useful in identifying potential sleep-disordered breathing.
Body Temperature
Certain trackers monitor skin temperature changes throughout the night, which can correlate with sleep stages and overall sleep quality.
Movement
While not usually presented as a separate metric, trackers use movement data to infer sleep and wake periods and sometimes to estimate sleep quality.
Environmental Factors
Some trackers include sensors to measure ambient light and noise levels, which can affect sleep quality. Yes, your tracker is judging your bedroom’s feng shui.
Sleep Quality Scores
Many trackers provide proprietary sleep quality scores, often on a scale of 0-100, based on a combination of the above metrics. Because adults need gold stars for sleeping too.
Sleep Trends
Trackers typically allow users to view their sleep patterns over time, identifying trends in sleep duration, timing, and quality.
Naps
Caught you! Some trackers claim to detect and measure daytime naps, although the accuracy of this feature can vary significantly between devices.
Snoring
Advanced trackers with microphones may attempt to detect and quantify snoring episodes.
Warning: This feature may cause relationship disputes. Use at your own risk.
The Touted Benefits
While the potential benefits of these devices for both individual users and the broader field of sleep research are significant, it’s important to note that the accuracy and reliability of consumer sleep trackers can vary.
They should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice or polysomnography when diagnosing sleep disorders.
However, when used appropriately, wearable sleep trackers can be valuable tools for promoting sleep health awareness and supporting sleep research efforts.
Increased Sleep Awareness
One of the primary benefits of sleep trackers is raising awareness about sleep patterns and habits. By providing quantifiable data, trackers can help users recognize the amount and quality of sleep they’re getting, potentially motivating improvements in sleep hygiene.
Plus unlike polysomnography, which is typically used for one or a few nights, wearable trackers allow for continuous, long-term sleep monitoring. This can reveal patterns and trends over time that might not be apparent from short-term observations.
Some trackers provide data on sleep timing and consistency, which can offer insights into an individual’s circadian rhythms and help optimize sleep-wake schedules.
Behavior Change and Empowerment
By gamifying sleep and providing daily scores or goals, trackers can motivate users to prioritize sleep and make positive changes to their sleep habits.
Trackers can empower individuals to take a more active role in managing their sleep health. Advanced ones can even provide personalized recommendations for improving sleep based on an individual’s data and patterns.
Users can also use sleep trackers to objectively measure the effects of various sleep improvement strategies, such as changing bedtime routines or adjusting room temperature.
Integration with Other Health Data
Sleep data from wearables can be integrated with other health metrics like physical activity, heart rate, and nutrition, providing a more comprehensive view of overall health.
Many sleep tracking apps also allow users to log factors like caffeine intake, exercise, or stress levels. This can help individuals understand how these factors affect their sleep quality.
Integration with Smart Home Devices
Sleep data from wearables can potentially integrate with smart home devices to automatically adjust factors like room temperature or lighting based on sleep patterns.
Potential for Early Warning Systems
In the future, changes in sleep patterns detected by wearables could potentially serve as early warning signs for certain health conditions, prompting earlier intervention.
Even now, sleep trackers may help identify potential sleep disturbances. For example, frequent nighttime awakenings or consistently low sleep efficiency might prompt users to seek professional medical advice.
Remote Patient Monitoring
In clinical settings, wearable sleep trackers could allow healthcare providers to monitor patients’ sleep patterns remotely, potentially improving the management of sleep disorders and other health conditions affected by sleep.
Compared to repeated polysomnography, wearable trackers offer a more affordable option for long-term sleep monitoring
Not So Dreamy: A Reality Check
Before you get too starry-eyed about these high-tech sleep whisperers, let’s pull back the covers on some of their limitations and concerns. Buckle up, sleep enthusiasts—it’s time for a wake-up call!
Despite this laundry list of limitations, sleep trackers aren’t all bad. When used with a healthy dose of skepticism and education, they can still provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns.
Just remember to take their data with a grain of salt – or perhaps a sprinkle of sleep sand – and always consult a healthcare professional for serious sleep concerns.
Accuracy Concerns
While sleep trackers are pretty good at detecting when you’re catching Z’s, they’re not exactly winning gold medals in the sleep Olympics.
Compared to the heavyweight champ of sleep measurement (polysomnography), these trackers often:
- Struggle to spot those sneaky wake periods during sleep
- Get a bit fuzzy when trying to differentiate between sleep stages
- Miss the mark on detecting sleep disorders
Furthermore, many trackers are like that overly optimistic friend who always thinks you look “great” after a rough night. They tend to overestimate total sleep time and efficiency (how well you slept). Potentially lulling you into a false sense of sleep security or making you wonder if something is wrong if you feel sleep deprived.
Dr. Zhang offers a reassuring point: improving accuracy is a major focus for wearable device companies, and they are continually refining their algorithms to achieve better results.
No Shared Standards
Standardization? What’s that? With different devices measuring and reporting sleep metrics in their own unique ways, comparing results across trackers is like trying to compare apples to, well, pillows.
And to complicate things, firmware and software updates can suddenly change how devices process data. It’s like waking up in a different bedroom – your sleep measurements might shift without you even realizing it!
Data Overload
Data, data everywhere and not a drop to drink? Without proper context, users might misinterpret their sleep data, leading to unnecessary panic or ill-advised changes to sleep habits.
Plus for all the worry you might feel about your stats, most consumer devices don’t measure crucial sleep metrics like brain waves or eye movements. It’s like trying to bake a cake without flour—you’re missing some key ingredients!
Of course, the worst offender for data misuse isn’t likely to fall on your shoulders. See, there’s a creepy possibility that insurers, employers, or other entities could misuse your sleep data. Talk about losing sleep over privacy concerns, with your secrets floating around in the cloud!
Not Quite Dr. Sleep
While trackers might hint at potential sleep issues, they’re not qualified to diagnose sleep disorders.
So relying solely on your wrist gadget instead of a real doctor? That’s a recipe for some serious sleep drama.
The Dark Side of Sleep Obsession
The nocebo effect is like the evil twin of the more familiar placebo effect, where your mind expecting a negative consequence from a medical treatment can have you experiencing one you otherwise wouldn’t.
For some folks, tracking sleep is like watching a horror movie before bed – it just amps up the anxiety. Hello, “orthosomnia“! Some users get so obsessed with their sleep stats that it actually interferes with their ability to, you know, actually sleep.
Practical Pitfalls
Sometimes, it’s the little things that trip us up. Wearing a device to bed can be about as comfortable as sleeping on a lumpy mattress for some people. You might toss and turn like that famous princess who tried to sleep on a pea.
Dr. Zhang emphasizes the importance of understanding your needs and finding what works best for you. If you’re uncomfortable wearing something on your wrist, a ring might be a better option. For a no-contact solution, an under-mattress device could be ideal.
A nightmare scenario if you spent a good wad of cash on a tracker, too. High-quality ones can cost a pretty penny, potentially putting sweet dreams out of reach for some sleepy folks.
And we can’t forget about the unneeding need to charge the device up. Nothing kills the mood like realizing your sleep tracker is dead right before bedtime.
The Physiology Puzzle
Sleep trackers often use one-size-fits-all algorithms, which is about as effective as using a one-size-fits-all pillowcase for every pillow in existence. You may have heard us talk before about how “one-size-fits-all” is a myth for mattresses before, so I hope we’re not boring you when I say that holds true for most things.
Factors like bed partners, pets, or that ultra-plush mattress can throw a wrench in movement-based sleep detection. The accuracy of sleep trackers may be particularly sketchy for certain groups, like those with sleep disorders, the elderly, or night shift workers.
Types of Wearable Trackers
These devices come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Some are as subtle as a whisper, while others are about as discreet as a disco ball in a library.
From smartwatches that do everything but make your morning coffee, to rings that look like they might grant you three wishes (spoiler: they don’t), the world of wearable sleep trackers is as diverse as a Google web search.
Wrist-Worn Devices
Wrist-worn devices are the most common type of wearable sleep trackers. These include smartwatches and fitness bands from companies like Fitbit, Apple, Samsung, and Garmin.
They typically use a combination of accelerometry to detect movement and photoplethysmography (PPG) to measure heart rate. Some advanced models also include skin temperature sensors and even electrodermal activity sensors.
Wrist-worn devices are popular due to their convenience and ability to track various health metrics beyond sleep, such as physical activity, heart rate, and stress levels. They can be worn continuously, allowing for 24/7 monitoring.
However, their accuracy can be affected by arm movements during sleep, and some users find them uncomfortable to wear while sleeping.
Ring Devices
Ring-shaped sleep trackers, such as the Oura Ring, have gained popularity in recent years. These devices are worn on the finger and typically include sensors for measuring movement, heart rate, and body temperature. Due to their small size and placement on the finger, ring devices may be less likely to disturb sleep compared to wrist-worn devices.
Ring devices often focus more specifically on sleep tracking compared to multifunctional smartwatches. They can provide detailed sleep stage information and offer insights into sleep quality.
However, their small size may limit battery life and the number of sensors that can be included.
Headband Devices
Headband sleep trackers are designed to measure brain activity during sleep using EEG (electroencephalography) sensors. These devices aim to provide more accurate sleep stage classification by directly measuring brain waves, similar to a simplified version of polysomnography.
While headband devices can potentially offer more detailed and accurate sleep data, they may be less comfortable for some users to wear throughout the night. They are also typically more expensive than wrist or ring devices.
Under-Mattress Devices
Although not strictly “wearable,” under-mattress sleep trackers like the Withings Sleep Analyzer or the Emfit QS are sometimes included in discussions of wearable sleep technology. These devices are placed under the mattress and use ballistocardiography to detect heart rate, breathing rate, and movement during sleep.
Under-mattress devices offer the advantage of being completely non-invasive, as the user doesn’t need to wear anything. However, they may be less accurate for individuals who share a bed.
Smart Clothing
Some companies are developing smart clothing with embedded sensors for sleep tracking. These can include smart pajamas or t-shirts with integrated sensors to measure various physiological parameters during sleep.
While still relatively niche, this category shows potential for combining comfort with comprehensive sleep monitoring.
Non-Wearable Sleep Trackers
For comparison, it’s worth briefly mentioning their less clingy cousins, non-wearable sleep trackers. The devices are not worn on the body but still aim to track sleep patterns, like vigilant guards standing to attention at your bedside.
These are the wallflowers of the sleep tracking world, preferring to watch your snooze fest from afar rather than getting up close and personal.
Examples include:
- Smartphone apps: These use the phone’s microphone and accelerometer to detect movement and sounds during sleep. However, they require the phone to be placed on the mattress, which can affect accuracy.
- Bedside devices: Products like the SleepScore Max use radio waves to detect movement and breathing patterns from a bedside table.
- Smart home devices: Some smart speakers and displays, like the Google Nest Hub, can use radar technology to track sleep from a nearby surface. Smart home devices can even improve sleep, not just track it, if you set up a routine through them.
Now, while these hands-off helpers might not be as touchy-feely as their wearable counterparts, they’ve got their own charm. They’re perfect for those who think strapping a gadget to their wrist is about as comfortable as sleeping on a bed of Legos.
Still, while these non-wearable options offer convenience, they generally provide less detailed and potentially less accurate data compared to wearable devices that are in direct contact with the user’s body. So, take their insights with a grain of salt—or maybe a whole pillowcase full!
What the Research Says
Multiple studies have evaluated the performance of wearable consumer sleep trackers against polysomnography (PSG) or sleep studies in a laboratory environment. PSG is considered the gold standard for sleep measurement.
Studies Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source show wearable sleep trackers are generally good at detecting sleep but less accurate at identifying wake periods. In other words, they often overestimate how much total sleep you get and how efficient your sleep is, while underestimating how much time you spend awake after falling asleep.For example, the Fitbit Charge 2 correctly Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source identified 96% of sleep periods but only 61% of wake periods when compared to PSG. Other studies suggest this pattern is common across different wearable devices.
A 2017 study Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source found Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source that the Fitbit Flex overestimated total sleep time by about 6.5 minutes in healthy people. Similarly, a 2019 study Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source observed Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source that wrist-worn devices generally overestimate sleep time and underestimate wake time compared to polysomnography (PSG).
The accuracy of wearables can decrease for people with sleep disorders or disturbed sleep. For instance, Fitbit’s accuracy declined Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source in children with more severe sleep-disordered breathing.
Some newer wearables can detect different sleep stages, not just sleep and wake. The Oura ring, for example, showed Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source moderate agreement with PSG in identifying light, deep, and REM sleep. However, performance varies significantly between different devices.
Factors like age, body weight, and sleep quality can affect how well wearables perform. This means it’s important to test wearables on diverse groups of people with different sleep patterns and health conditions.
Despite the growing body of research, there are several key limitations in existing studies. Most involve relatively small sample sizes of healthy participants, which limits how it applies to broader populations.
There is a particular lack of research examining wearable performance in individuals with sleep disorders or other health conditions that may affect sleep.
Few studies have examined wearable performance over multiple nights or in home environments. This is a significant limitation, as the performance of these devices in controlled laboratory settings may not accurately reflect their performance in real-world conditions where they are most commonly used.
Another major obstacle is the lack of access to raw data and proprietary algorithms from wearable manufacturers. This “black box” nature of many devices makes it difficult for researchers to fully understand and evaluate their performance. Greater transparency from wearable device makers is needed to aid scientific evaluation.
There is also limited research on newer multisensor consumer wearables. As technology rapidly evolves, validation studies struggle to keep pace with the latest devices on the market. This can make it challenging for consumers and researchers to make informed decisions about which devices to use.
Finally, there is a lack of consistency Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source in the methods and metrics used across studies. Standardized testing would make it easier to compare results.
Tips for Best Use
Remember, the goal is to use the tracker to enhance your sleep, not to let it control or worry you. Always prioritize how you feel and function during the day over the numbers on your tracker.
By following these tips, you can use your sleep tracker as an effective tool for improving your sleep health while avoiding common pitfalls.
Choose the Right Device
- Research different trackers and their features
- Consider your specific needs (e.g., battery life, comfort, additional health metrics)
- Look for devices that have been validated in scientific studies, or at least thoroughly reviewed
Understand the Limitations
- Recognize that sleep trackers are not as accurate as polysomnography
- Be aware that they may overestimate sleep time and underestimate wake time
- Understand that sleep stage classification may not be entirely accurate
Establish a Baseline
- Use the tracker consistently for several weeks to establish your personal sleep patterns
- Look for trends rather than focusing on day-to-day variations
Use with Sleep Diaries
- Keep a sleep diary alongside tracker data
- Compare subjective feelings of sleep quality with tracker data
- Note discrepancies and discuss with a healthcare provider if concerned
Focus on Sleep Hygiene
- Use tracker data to identify and improve sleep habits
- Pay attention to bedtime consistency, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency
- Use the data to motivate better sleep hygiene practices
Don’t Obsess Over the Data
- Avoid checking sleep data immediately upon waking
- Remember that one night of poor sleep is not a cause for concern
- Focus on long-term trends rather than daily fluctuations
- If your tracker has social or competitive features, use them for motivation but don’t let them cause anxiety
Customize Settings
- Adjust sensitivity settings if available to match your sleep patterns
- Set personalized sleep goals based on your needs and schedule
Combine with Other Health Data
- Look at sleep data in context with other health metrics like exercise, diet, and stress levels
- Use this holistic view to make informed lifestyle choices
Ensure Proper Wear and Use
- Follow manufacturer instructions for optimal placement and use
- Ensure the device is charged and functioning properly each night
Regular Calibration
- Periodically check and adjust the accuracy of your sleep and wake times
- Update the firmware and app regularly for the latest improvements
Get Coached on Sleep
- Take advantage of any sleep coaching or recommendation features in the app
- Implement suggested changes gradually and monitor their effects
Be Mindful of Factors Affecting Accuracy
- Consider how factors like medications or illness might affect tracker accuracy
- Note these factors in your sleep diary Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source for context
Don’t Rely on It for Medical Concerns
- Use the tracker as a tool for self-awareness, not self-diagnosis
- Consult a healthcare professional if you have persistent sleep concerns
Integrate with Your Healthcare
- Share long-term sleep data with your healthcare provider during check-ups
- Use the data to facilitate discussions about your sleep health
Experiment Wisely
- Use the tracker to test the effects of changes in your sleep environment or routine
- Make one change at a time and track its impact over several nights
Understand Your Chronotype
- Use sleep timing data to understand your natural sleep-wake cycle
- Align your sleep schedule with your chronotype when possible
Set Realistic Goals
- Aim for gradual improvements in sleep metrics
- Celebrate small victories in improving your sleep habits
Take Breaks If Needed
- If tracking becomes stressful, take a break and focus on how you feel
- Return to tracking when you feel it will be beneficial again
Stay Informed
- Keep up with the latest research on sleep tracking technology
- Be open to switching devices as technology improves
FAQs
Do wearables track naps?
These little wrist-huggers are pretty savvy when it comes to catching your daytime snoozes. They typically use a combination of motion sensors and heart rate monitors to detect periods of inactivity and lowered heart rate, which are indicative of sleep.
However, the accuracy of nap tracking can vary depending on the specific device and the duration of the nap. So your power nap might be missed or misclassified as a bit of wakeful lounging.
How does a wearable know when you’re in bed?
These clever little wrist-wraps play detective with your body’s clues through sensors and algorithms. They feel you get still as a statue, using accelerometers to detect a lack of movement. Some advanced models also note how your heart rate slows and temperature drops as you fall asleep.
Still, many allow users to manually indicate when they’re going to bed. This can improve the accuracy of sleep tracking by providing a clear start time for the algorithm to work with.
Can a wearable detect snoring?
Some can, and let me tell you, they’re not afraid to spill the beans on your nighttime symphony! These high-tech tattletales come equipped with microphones that can pick up on your nocturnal wheezes and whistles. These devices use algorithms to distinguish snoring sounds from other ambient noises.
However, the accuracy and reliability of snoring detection can vary. It depends on factors such as the position of the wearable, background noise levels, and the sensitivity of the device’s microphone.
How long does a wearable sleep tracker last?
The lifespan of a wearable sleep tracker depends on several factors, including the quality of the device, how well it’s maintained, and how frequently it’s used. On average, a well-maintained sleep tracker can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years before it needs retiring.
However, the battery life may degrade over time, requiring more frequent charging. Furthermore, as technology advances, older models may become obsolete or lose compatibility with newer smartphones or apps. This prompts users to upgrade sooner even if the physical device itself is still sound.
Can I shower with my sleep tracker?
Whoa there, water baby! Before you turn your tracker into a submarine, check its specs. The water resistance of sleep trackers varies significantly between models.
Some are fully waterproof and can be worn while swimming or showering, like a duck taking to water. Others are only splash-resistant or not water-resistant at all. They need to be kept dry, or you might end up with a very expensive paperweight.
It’s crucial to check the manufacturer’s specifications for your specific device before exposing it to water. Even if a tracker is rated as waterproof, prolonged exposure to water or chemicals like soap and shampoo may affect its longevity or performance over time.
Should I wear a tracker all day?
There’s no reason to not wear a tracker all day if it doesn’t bother you. It’ll catch all your moves, from power walks to power naps. Plus, it’ll get to know your habits better than your nosy neighbor ever could, providing more comprehensive data about your sleep-wake patterns and overall activity levels, establishing baselines for your normal behavior.
And wearing the tracker during the day can offer insights into other health metrics like step count, calorie burn, and stress levels, depending on the device’s capabilities. This can help you notice patterns, such as what exercise routine helps you sleep better at night.
Conclusion
These devices, ranging from smartwatches to rings and headbands, offer a convenient and accessible way to monitor your sleep and increase awareness of your habits.
However, studies indicate that while these devices are generally good at detecting sleep, they often overestimate total sleep time and struggle to accurately identify wake periods. Privacy concerns regarding data usage also remain a significant issue for many users.
It’s crucial to understand the limitations of the technology and use the tracker consistently to establish baseline patterns. Focusing on long-term trends rather than daily fluctuations can provide more meaningful insights.
Ultimately, the data from these devices should be used as motivation for improving sleep hygiene rather than as a source of stress or anxiety.
About the author
Geoff McKinnen is a writer focusing mainly on the healthcare industry and has written articles on everything from foods to help you lose weight to the connection between Alzheimer’s and sleep. Geoff’s passionate about helping readers improve their well-being to lead happier lives. Outside of work, Geoff enjoys cycling and hiking and believes that by leading a healthy lifestyle, he can help others do the same.
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