The Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep Using Tech

Modern life keeps us so busy that most of us end up sacrificing our sleep to get everything done, yet we know how important sleep is for our health. But how much sleep do we really need?

3 minute read

In the UK, a workplace survey by Nuffield Health consisting of 8,000 adults showed that 74% of adults do not get enough good quality sleep per night.

So, the question is, how much sleep do we actually need each night? And how can you measure your sleep and take steps to improve it?

How much sleep does the average adult need?

Let’s explore this a bit further. Research shows that adults between 18 and 60 need seven or more hours per night on a regular basis for optimal health. This is also the recommendation from the National Sleep Foundation.

However, we know this may vary from person to person. Factors such as lifestyle, diet, age, and condition of health all come into play when working out how much sleep a person needs. It is not a one-size-fits-all answer.

How to measure good quality sleep

How do we measure sleep and its quality exactly, I hear you ask? Great question!

Sleep scientists have conducted sleep studies to capture and analyse patterns in sleep by monitoring brain waves, eye movements, and physiological changes. These studies are known as polysomnography. This data has helped to identify the different stages of sleep and how to determine if you have had a good night’s sleep.

Personally, measuring your sleep quality

Tech companies have taken this sleep data to design smart devices with sleep trackers, so you don’t have to take part in a sleep study to determine the quality of your own sleep. All you need is a small device!

These days, sleep trackers can come in all shapes and forms to help us get a good night’s sleep. From watches to smart pillows, there is something for everyone.

Top sleep tech brands

There are a variety of technology brands on the market today which can help you optimise your sleep. Depending on your personal style and taste you may lean more towards one brand than the other. Let’s explore some sleep tech trends and the top 5 brands on the market:

Woop bands - are known to provide accuracy and metrics, with a sleep design it can help you make decisions on your sleep.
Apple watches - have become increasingly popular in sleep apps, providing information on sleep duration and cycles with trends over periods of time.
Fitbit – one of the pioneers of sleep tracking, a sleek design and functionality.
Withings – known for overall smart health devices including sleep tracking.
Garmin – known for their GPS devices in sports watches, they have now incorporated a sleep tracking system.

Choosing which technology works best for you all comes down to personal choice. It depends on if you want to specifically look at your sleep quality, or if you are looking for a more general look at your overall health.

Sleep tech can help you get your best night’s sleep

The importance of sleep cannot be reiterated enough.

With the busy UK lifestyle and an increase in technological advances, it is possible to use these innovations to improve your health. You can determine your own individual sleep pattern, how much sleep you need, and improve the quality of your health. This will help you to feel rejuvenated after a restful night’s sleep, and to leave you feeling your optimal self, ready for another day.