Should You Use a Sleep Tracker App 10 Pros and Cons to Consider
Sleep is probably the most important part of your health and well-being, yet many people struggle to get a good night’s rest. If you want to take advantage of the benefits of sleep, which include improved concentration, an enhanced mood, and lower stress levels, technology may be the solution.
Sleep tracking apps can help you better understand your sleep and get some shut-eye, but there are pros as well as some disadvantages. So what exactly is a sleep tracker app, and what do you need to know before using it?
How exactly do sleep tracker apps work?
Unlike a wearable fitness tracker or watch that can track your sleep, most sleep tracker apps simply use your smartphone’s microphone and speaker to measure and record your sleep. All you have to do is keep your smartphone on or near your bedside table before you go to sleep.
Sleep Cycle, BetterSleep, and SleepScore are some of the most popular sleep tracker apps to use. But before you start downloading and subscribing to anything, first consider these various pros and cons.
Pros of Using Sleep Tracker
First, let’s look at the benefits of using a sleep tracker.
1. Helps you better understand your sleep patterns
You need to understand them in order to improve your sleep patterns. Most sleep tracker apps record a broad amount of data about your sleep, such as the time you go to bed, the time you wake up, the regularity of your sleep, and the duration of your sleep.
This vital sleep data can reveal in detail how your sleep patterns affect you throughout the day, including your mood, productivity, and more.
2. Tracks the different stages of your sleep
There are typically four stages of sleep: waking, light, deep, and REM. Each stage plays an essential role in how you feel when you wake up. Sleep tracker apps often provide a breakdown of your different sleep phases, including how long you slept in each phase.
Some sleep tracker apps use smart alarms as well as your sleep stages to wake you up at the right time, which you can learn more about below.
3. Catches potential sleep interruptions and disruptions
In general, sleep tracker apps use your smartphone’s microphone and speaker to record various sounds throughout the night. When you wake up, you can analyze the recordings to see if they correspond to any pauses or disruptions in sleep.
As an example, sleep recording can help you catch potential sleep problems like excessive snoring. In addition, some sleep trackers measure ambient noise in your bedroom to see if you have an ideal sleep environment.
4. Gently wakes you up at the ideal time
As mentioned above, sleep trackers can use your sleep stages along with an in-app smart alarm clock to gently wake you up at the optimal time.
Waking up at the right time—especially during your lightest sleep—can help you feel well-rested and less sleepy in the morning. Furthermore, many sleep tracker apps offer a wake-up window that gently wakes you up at a set time phrase.
5. Convenient compared to wearing a sleep tracker device
While it’s likely that wearable sleep trackers track your sleep better than apps, wearing one to bed isn’t always convenient or comfortable.
Some sleep tracker devices are clunky and awkward, which can lead to restless nights and compromise, rather than improve, your sleep. Almost everyone has a smartphone anyway, so it’s easy to keep your smartphone close by and fall asleep.
Cons of Using Sleep Trackers
Despite the benefits of using sleep trackers, there are several drawbacks that you should keep in mind.
1. It helps get more sleep
Sure, you can use a sleep tracker app to track many aspects of your sleep, like your sleep phases, sleep debt, and sleep goals. But what does all that sleep data mean and how do you use it? All the features, graphs, and records can be overwhelming and ruin your sleep rather than improve it.
Use your sleep tracker app to give you more general information about your sleep, rather than relying solely on your sleep. Don’t forget that it is most important to take into account what your body is telling you about your sleep.
2. Promotes Screen Use Before Bedtime
Using a smartphone right before bedtime can be harmful It’s best to limit your screen time, as artificial light can disrupt your circadian rhythm. However, there are some mobile apps that may promote a healthy circadian rhythm.
If you want to use a sleep tracker app, consider making your bed a phone-free zone until you’re ready to sleep. Then take your phone, turn on your sleep tracker, and leave your phone alone for the rest of the night.