From Mumbai nights to NYC lights, tame your restless world with wearable tech ~ the sleep revolution on your wrist.
A good night’s sleep can feel like a distant dream for many workaholics like me. In India, a staggering 80% of the population reports experiencing sleep problems, according to a 2021 study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). Stress, pollution, and the constant blue glow of our devices all contribute to disrupted sleep patterns.
But fear not, weary wanderers! The world of wearable tech is here to offer a helping hand or should we say, a slumber-inducing slumber party on your wrist.
For me, restless nights were the norm for many years. But then I tried a sleep tracker. It monitored my sleep stages and wake-ups, giving me a clear picture of what was going on. Seeing the data really helped. I could adjust my bedtime routine and identify habits that were disrupting my sleep. Now, with some tweaks and the tracker’s insights, I am finally getting the restful nights I craved.
The rise of sleep trackers
Gone are the days of relying solely on grogginess as a sleep gauge. Modern sleep trackers, like the Fitbit Sense or the Apple Watch with Sleep app, use a combination of accelerometers and heart rate monitors to track your sleep stages (light, deep, REM, dream) and provide detailed insights into your sleep quality. Imagine waking up with a data-driven understanding of why you feel like a zombie, then taking action and improving your sleep hygiene!
Biofeedback and soothing sounds
The latest wearables go beyond just tracking. Some devices, like the Dreem headband use biofeedback to help you quiet your mind before sleep. By monitoring your brainwaves and muscle tension, it provides real-time feedback to guide you towards a calmer state. Other wearables, like the Bose Sleepbuds, focus on creating a soothing soundscape. Whether it’s gentle white noise or calming nature sounds, these devices mask environmental disruptions and lull you into a peaceful slumber.
Wearable tech in India and the US
India’s wearable tech market is booming, with the market size projected to reach $4.02 billion by 2027, according to Statista.com, a German online platform/data hub. Domestic brands like Noise and GOQii are offering affordable sleep-tracking features, making this technology more accessible to the Indian population. International giants like Fitbit, Samsung, and Xiaomi are also increasingly catering to the Indian market with features like Hindi language support and integration with local health platforms.
The US wearable tech landscape is flourishing, with a market size valued at $19.92 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $23.07 billion by 2024 according to Grand View Research. This double-digit growth reflects the increasing adoption of wearables by Americans.
Fitness trackers hold the top spot, but smartwatches are catching up fast, boasting advanced features like health monitoring and seamless connectivity. This trend is fueled by a growing national focus on health and wellness (30% of Americans already use wearable medical technology, according to the National Library of Medicine) alongside innovation from tech giants like Apple and Google, who are constantly pushing the boundaries of wearable technology.
Holistic wellness on your wrist
The focus isn’t just on sleep. Many wearables like Muse headband, Spire Stone clip-on, WellBe wave wristband, and Apple watch offer stress management tools like guided meditation and breathing exercises. These features can be particularly helpful when stress is ubiquitous because of sociocultural pressures, competitive work environments, and rapid urbanization.
Some wearables like Fitbit Sense 2 fitness tracker, Whoop Strap 4.0 wristband, Amazfit Balance smartwatch, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 even track other health metrics like heart rate variability and blood oxygen levels, providing a more comprehensive picture of your overall well-being.
Fitness trackers hold the top spot for wearable tech sales volumes, but smartwatches are catching up fast. They boast advanced features like health monitoring and seamless connectivity with Apple and Google constantly pushing the boundaries of wearable technology.
In Sleep Apnea management
Wearable tech is also crucial in managing sleep apnea, a serious condition characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Smartwatches and other wearables can detect these breathing interruptions, prompting users to seek medical evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life.
“Untreated sleep disorders can lead to adverse cardiometabolic and neurocognitive outcomes, making the ability to monitor one’s sleep in a meaningful manner and utilize that clinical data to improve sleep a critical need for our field,” said Dr Anuja Bandyopadhyay, chair of the Artificial Intelligence in Sleep Medicine Committee at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indiana, to Fox News Digital.
She also points to a strong link between sleep and mental health.
Dr. Bandyopadhyay highlighted that AI (Artificial Intelligence) now allows for tracking sleep and identifying patterns, which can alert clinicians to potential issues. She noted that this technology helps patients understand and improve their sleep habits. According to her, tech wearables can analyze movement, heart rate, and breathing to offer detailed insights into sleep quality.
In the US, the ratio of patient-to-sleep medicine specialists is 43,000 to 1. Dr Bandyopadhyay said that AI in wearable technology can help reduce physician burnout and enhance patient access to care when utilized properly.
Privacy and security
Privacy is a concern with any technology that collects personal data. Before purchasing sleep trackers, make sure you understand the data collection practices and security measures employed by the manufacturer.
Finding your perfect sleep tech match
The world of wearable tech for sleep and serenity is vast. Consider your needs and budget. Do you just want basic sleep tracking, or are you looking for advanced features like biofeedback? Reading reviews and comparing features can help you find the perfect sleep tech companion.
Conclusion
While wearable tech isn’t a magic bullet for sleep woes, it can be a valuable tool. By providing insights and offering relaxation techniques, these devices can empower you to take charge of your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. So, ditch counting sheep and embrace the future of slumber! Sweet dreams!
Picture credits: Freepik
