Sleep Technology

I started tracking my sleep on my apple watch with low expectations. I figured I’d confirm what I already felt; that I wasn’t getting enough of it. But what I didn’t expect was how much I would learn about myself. It wasn’t just about the hours of sleep I logged; it was about patterns, behaviors, and even emotional states I hadn’t connected to rest before.

Sleep tracking isn’t just a tech trend; it’s rooted in behavioral science. Research shows that self-monitoring increases awareness and can drive meaningful lifestyle changes. The simple act of observing your sleep habits can create a feedback loop that nudges you toward better decisions.

📊A few surprises- I learned that:

• Consistency mattered more than total hours- When my bedtime was all over the place, I felt it; even if I still got 7–8 hours.
  

• Screen time really affected me- On nights I scrolled late, it took longer to…

Of all the senses, your ears are the most active while trying to go to sleep and staying asleep. Think about it, all your other senses are quite static. It's in this setting I find my ears able to hear the slightest noise, especially when I don't want to.

Enter an abundance of options for night hearing as noted in this article in the WSJ. Please note, as in many of the avenues to improve sleep, there are options as it's not a one size fits all. At the same time, there's some good advice here on the proper range of safe sound that should work for you.

I have been using an 8 sleep pod for about 8 months now with incredible results. I tend to sleep very hot, sauna and hot showers jack my heart rate up so that was out for me but setting my 8 sleep to like -6 or -7 keeps me about right. It also has a built in alarm which allows me to keep my phone out and off. Has anyone else used cooling pads?