The Truth About Sleep Trackers: Expert Insights
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Sleep trackers, such as wearable devices and phone-based apps, have gained popularity in recent years for their ability to collect data on sleep patterns and offer insights on sleep quality. However, experts caution that while these trackers can provide some benefits, they can also be misleading and are not a cure for sleep disorders. The accuracy of data collection can be affected by factors such as obesity, heart rhythm disorders, and skin tone. Additionally, the translation of data into consumer-friendly takeaways, such as sleep stages and overall sleep scores, may not be scientifically vetted or meaningful for individual health outcomes. Experts suggest using sleep trackers to capture long-term patterns and reinforce sleep hygiene, but caution against relying solely on numbers and scores to understand sleep.