Buzz
We all know that sleep is essential to our health and well-being. Aside from jet lag or staying up late, our body’s internal clock, the circadian rhythm, helps us know when it's time to sleep and wake up. However, a variety of external factors can disrupt this rhythm, making it hard for many of us to get consistent, quality sleep.
Fortunately, technology offers several ways to make falling (and staying) asleep easier. Let’s take a look at some of the tools available to help optimize your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed every day of the week.
The perfect lighting conditions for restful sleep
Lighting has a crucial impact on how easily we fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up in the morning. The amount of light we’re exposed to is a primary factor influencing our circadian rhythms. For instance, white tuning light can help improve sleep quality. Consider using white tuning bulbs to reset your sleep routine.
There are also various types of lights available that adjust based on the time of day. For example, in the morning, the light simulates a sunrise, and in the evening, it mimics a sunset to help you relax before bedtime. These lighting options come in different price ranges to fit your needs. You might want to try the $129 Hatch Restore or the $36 PBPAO version.
Sleep management apps for smartphones
Both the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store offer a wide variety of sleep management apps that track the amount and quality of your sleep, or provide ambient sounds and white noise. Many of these apps are free to download with optional in-app purchases. Here are some of our top picks:
Sleep Cycle: This intelligent sleep cycle tracker uses machine learning algorithms to monitor your sleep stages and determine which stage you're in. It also senses when you're in the lightest sleep phase and wakes you up with an alarm, helping you avoid grogginess in the morning.
Pillow: The Pillow app, compatible with iPhones and Apple Watches, helps you gain insights into your sleep patterns. Similar to Sleep Cycle, it wakes you during the lightest sleep phase for a more refreshed morning.
SleepScore: SleepScore provides in-depth sleep analytics and scientifically backed advice to help reset your circadian rhythm.
Rise: With Rise, you can track your sleep debt and circadian rhythm to improve your sleep habits. According to the app, over 80% of users experience better sleep within five days of using Rise.
Our top sleep tech devices
While you’ve probably heard it’s best to avoid your phone before bedtime, not all tech should be off-limits. From wearable gadgets to tabletop devices, the sleep technology market is thriving with innovations designed to help you drift off and stay asleep:
Muse S Headband ($249): The Muse S Headband is a wearable designed to aid both sleep and meditation. It uses advanced EEG technology to monitor your brain waves and help you find the best position for restful sleep. With its app, you can track your sleep score and gain valuable insights into your rest.
SNOOZ white noise machine ($99): This device generates white noise using a fan that doesn’t emit cold air, ensuring warmth while eliminating the common looping sound issue found in other white noise machines.
Apollo Neuro wearable ($299): The Apollo Neuro is a wearable that lets you select different vibes through its app. It can energize you during the day, and at night, it offers relaxation features to ease your stress and help you fall asleep faster.
MUSICOZY sleep headphones ($22.99): This sleep mask includes built-in Bluetooth headphones, allowing you to block out light while playing music or white noise, without disturbing others.
SleepBank sleep aid ($568): For those struggling with insomnia, the SleepBank uses its Sleeping Frequency Technology to help calm your mind and improve your sleep.
