Tech is influencing our sleep: Here’s how to use it to get better rest

Technology for the most part is used to improve our lives. It gives us access to information previous generations never had unless they went to school or a library. It keeps us connected and entertained at all hours of the day and night.
However, technology is also wreaking havoc on our sleep schedules by overloading us with information, notifications and light. 40% of Americans are getting less than seven hours of sleep per night according to a Gallup poll. Lack of sleep can lead to a litany of health problems, from cognition impairment to obesity and diabetes. Some studies even show sleep deprived driving is as bad as driving under the influence. No matter how you look at it, a lack of sleep is bad for your health.
Blue light from displays has been shown to reduce hormones related to sleep. Some companies like Apple, Amazon and Samsung have acknowledged the fact that their devices are ruining sleep schedules by implementing a blue light filter on their smartphones and tablets. This makes a lot of sense if you consider the blue light you see throughout the day. When the sun goes down so does the blue light wavelengths.
Turning off your mobile devices is one solution to getting better rest at night. However, you and I both know there’s a slim chance of that ever happening. Here are a few solutions to getting better sleep.

Purple Mattress or Pillow

You spend roughly one-third of your entire life in a bed. Why waste it on a cheap mattress that causes you to overheat? Or worse, why use a mattress that causes back pain? Purple took bed technology to the highest standard by creating the Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ that not only eliminates heat build up, but is also hypoallergenic and helps sleepers maintain perfect alignment on their back and sides. Pain is a thing of the past with the Purple mattress. Best of all, if you don’t like it within the first 100 days, you can send it back and get a full refund.

Prices start at $699 and come with a free 100 day satisfaction guarantee.

SleepScore S+

 

A non-contact sleep system that analyzes and improves sleep. Using bio-motion technology, S+ monitors the four stages of sleep by measuring breathing and physical movements, while also recording the light, noise, and temperature conditions in the room. ResMed is well-known to those who suffer from sleep apnea. It is an industry leader in sleep and C-PAP breathing machines.

Learn more at ResMed

Drift Light by Saffron

Blue light from electronics and some common bulbs suppresses melatonin. Drift Light slowly dims over time to promote relaxation and an increase in melatonin.

Prices start at $24.95 per bulb at Drift Light

Hammacher Schlemmer Peaceful Progression Wakeup Clock

Uses increasing light, aromas and nature sounds to awaken sleepers. 30 minutes before wake-up, it begins to glow softly, brightening over the next half-hour. This is a nice solution to those loud alarm clocks that wake you up with jarring sounds which is a terrible way to start the day.

$79.95 at Hammacher Schelmmer

Occushield

The Blue light shield from Occushield can be placed on computer screen, tablet or smartphone to limit overall exposure to blue light, which can impact sleep cycles. If you’re going to use your devices at night, which is most likely everyone, then simply place a blue light filter on it. It’s a cheap investment considering the consequences of a lack of sleep. Occushield even sells a set of glasses with lenses that will filter out blue light.

Prices start at $10 at Occushield

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