There isanentire branch of medical science called polysomnography that helps diagnose sleep disorders, and it’ s hard tosay whether afree app can rival aspecialist’ sadvice. Still, many people believe that the right technology can positively affect sleep patterns, especially when used in a thoughtful and methodical way. The following suggestions could hold the answer to abetter night’ s sleep.

Sleep apps

Sleep apps are handy because you can download them onto your smartphone. They use your phone’ s“ accelerometer” to figure out what your body is doing. You place the phone near your body in bed. The phone will detect when you toss and turn, and it will make an educated guess about what sleep stage you’ re in.

Perhaps the most helpful feature is the ALARM CLOCK. Just set a window of time when you want to wake up, and the app will determine when you’ ve entered your“ lightest” sleep. The alarm tones are gentle and soothing, and draw you effortlessly from

your dreams. Other popular options include the SLEEP CYCLE ALARM

CLOCK, because of its sensitive movement detection, its range of low-key alarms, and its easy-to-read sleep reports, and the SLEEP TIME APP, which uses a similar cycle-based alarm.

Fitness watches

There are lots of advantages to fitness watches: A wristwatch feels very natural on your body, so you don’ t have to share abed with your phone.

The market is saturated in fitness watches, but Fitbit is still the best-known name, thanks to its early development and sleek designs. Like a phone app or high-quality sleep monitor, FITBIT detects your movements while you sleep and figures out your“ sleep stages.” When you’ ve gathered enough data, Fitbit provides“ insights,” comparing your sleep patterns to those of others of the same age and gender.

Sleep trackers

Sleep trackers are everywhere, and they come in arange of designs.

Each device uses“ actigraphy” to document your physical movements during the night. For example, the BEDDIT SLEEP MONITOR is along white strap that you can fasten to your bedsheets.

Smart beds

The leading brand is SLEEP

NUMBER, whose mattresses are famous for changing their firmness. One of the most significant advancements is the elevating mattress, which can be a lifesaver for people with severe snoring and sleep apnea. When the bed detects snoring, it rises automatically at the top, shifting the sleeper’ s head.

THE SLEEP TRACKER BY EIGHT SLEEP is acover that you pull over your mattress. The cover has a warming feature, which can be set on a timer. The sleep tracker also has a smart alarm system, and you can use the Eight Sleep app to compare sleep patterns and recent exercise. ■

WOMAN: THINKSTOCK; PHONE: COURTESY OF FITBIT; MATRESS COVER: COURTESY OF EIGHT SLEEP

18 BACK TOSCHOOL 2018 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE