Sleep... what’s that then?

Sleep is essential for our health. It's probably fair to say you've spent quite a lot of time worrying about your toddler's sleep and that your own sleep is still a work in progress. Going from monitoring your baby's sleep to monitoring your own sleep – is there such a thing as a good night's sleep? 

Humankind has been interested in sleep for some time now and many different methods to promote sleep have been developed, whether that be a black-out blind, eye mask or the use of background noise. 

Today, there is a global trend toward using smart gadgets that help us monitor not only our sleep but contain other health-related features.  

Sleep tech has become advanced since it first launched some products claiming they can help you fall asleep. Many apps track heart rates and breathing, among other things. Our worlds are becoming more and more reliant on apps and data to help guide us through the day, and night. 

Sleep trackers say they accurately monitor sleep. But just how good are they? 

It’s quite hard to answer this, as thousands of smartphone-based apps are available. And as with anything, some will be more reliable than others.  

Even though tech is developing rapidly every day, it still can’t read what is happening in our individual lives. For some, having a wealth of data at their fingertips can bring about feelings of anxiety. Sleepless nights can occur from tracking sleep patterns with many becoming focused on ‘not sleeping’. 

The amazing thing is our body is programmed to sleep. It might need help from time to time, but it needs rest to keep us healthy. 

Melatonin is a natural hormone, produced in the brain, that works with our circadian rhythm to help us feel sleepier when it becomes dark. 

It helps us keep a day and night rhythm as the amount produced slows down when it becomes light again. 

But we don’t need tech to help us sleep. We can feel sleepier with a few little tricks: 

• Have the right temperature in the room – being too hot or cold can delay the onset of sleep.  
• Dim the lights – this helps the brain release more Melatonin. 
• Limit caffeine before bedtime – it’s known to produce a rush of adrenaline which causes a faster heartbeat and rate of breathing while also increasing blood sugar levels and blood pressure. This makes the body feel like it is in danger, which can stop sleep from happening. 
• Limit alcohol before bedtime – alcohol is often used to help induce sleep, when in fact, it’s more likely to disrupt your sleep. Alcohol can wake us up with feelings of dehydration, or an urge to go for a wee!  
• Use some energy – exercise is great for burning energy and clearing the mind. If you can’t get out, there's lots of work-out videos online.  
• Have a routine – sticking to the same routine, where possible, can help you feel tired at the right time.