From medical advances to fitness trackers, technology has improved the health and well-being of many. So it was only a matter of time before we turned to technology to help us get a better night’s sleep.
One of the biggest culprits of poor sleep is the wrong sleeping temperature. Your body temperature automatically decreases when you’re sleeping, but the temperature in your room generally doesn’t adjust along with it. That can lead to less-than-deep sleep — and plenty of wake-ups.
The ideal bed temperature range is somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees, but each person has their own specific preferences for a good night’s sleep.Some run hotter than others. Some prefer to be cozied up under thick blankets, while others prefer falling asleep with just a sheet. Finding that perfect balance will determine whether or not you’ll get a good night’s rest. The ideal temperature will change throughout the night based on your circadian cycle. Luckily, there’s now a technology that makes those adjustments for you as you’re sleeping.
Introducing the Pod
It’s common to go to bed feeling comfortable in a cool room only to wake up in the middle of the night either kicking the covers off or dashing across the room for an extra blanket.. Another factor that may be making you hot is if you sleep on a memory foam mattress. Foam mattresses store heat, and therefore increase in temperature during the night, which may add to your discomfort. Regular disturbances like this can prevent you from reaching valuable REM sleep.
The water-powered thermal technology of the Eight Sleep Pod regulates the temperature on both sides of the bed to adhere to each person’s body temperature and physiology. All you do is program it to your optimal sleeping temperature before bed. It’s adjusted by sensors during the night that track and regulate body temperature while sleeping. A proprietary thermal engine allows water to flow from the Hub to the Active Grid and keep the temperatures at the setting you want. (For couples, it’s a game changer because the settings are individualized by side.)And besides cutting-edge tech, it also provides comfort, quality, and practicality: The Pod cover is made of a 100% premium fiber blend and the mattress is comprised of four layers of CertiPur-certified adaptive foam.
By syncing the Pod with the Eight Sleep app, you can control everything at the touch of your fingertips. It also gives you a chance to review your sleep patterns and be more proactive in improving your sleep health.Consider it the sleep equivalent of a fitness coach (after all, sleep fitness is integral to overall wellness).
Secure Better Sleep by Changing Temperatures
Maintaining consistent fitful sleep is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our body. And, it all starts by switching the temperature a few degrees.
First, promoting air circulation with a cooling fan or well-positioned air vents also can cool down a room and make it more favorable for sleeping. During the winter,adjust how high you keep the heat on or the amount of blankets you use. Wearing a pair of thick socks to bed can help your body to retain heat. Alternatively, in the summer , follow a nighttime routine that involves taking a cool shower to help bring down your body temperature before you ever get into bed. By making any of these small adjustments, you’ll see how your sleep habits begin to change for the better.
There are various common sleep disturbances that prevent us from getting an adequate amount of sleep per night. When the room is too hot or too cold, it doesn’t ever lead to the level of sleep we want. A lot of factors influencing why you sweat at night can also affect the quality of sleep you achieve. Find a middle ground that is ideal for you.
Review What Your Sleep Analysis Says About You
In addition to being able to regulate body temperature while sleeping to match your body’s natural changes, the Eight Sleep app offers data that shows you when you’re waking up and how long you’re sleeping per night. It provides metrics for any and all factors that could be affecting your sleep duration. You may be surprised at the results. The information will help you get into a consistent routine, identify patterns, and make changes by establishing a baseline.
For example, if your goal is to go to bed by 10 PM every night, but your sleep analysis shows you don’t actually drift off to sleep until 11, then you may want to push your bedtime back a little bit rather than lying restless. On the other hand, if you wake up naturally before your alarm, honor your body’s natural circadian rhythm and get up right away. By maintaining a set schedule of when you go to bed and wake up, even on the weekends, it sets a good flow for your body to recognize when it’s time to be active and when to head to bed.
For a deeper look into how your sleep data can help, monitor changes on a weekly basis. There may be certain days or periods of time where your sleep feels a little “off.” at what’s happening in your daily life that may be affecting your sleep. Follow the recommendations for how to improve. If you’re feeling extra stress or anxiety, amp up how much you exercise or begin meditation to help alleviate these feelings. If you’re skimping on sleep due to late nights, redirect back to a more regular schedule.
Think of your sleep analysis as your go-to for information center. Use it as a tool to help keep you accountable with your health goals and prevent smaller problems from turning into big ones.
Improve Your Health with Better Sleep
Poor sleep can lead to a range of health conditions from obesity to sleep apnea and anxiety to depression. It’s a fundamental part of our day-to-day lives. When we have trouble sleeping, it’s likely we still don’t give it the attention it deserves. By using technology to track our sleeping patterns and adjust to the body while resting, it will prevent disruptions during the night and provide answers about when we’re sleeping and the quality of sleep we’re receiving.
Part of using the technology of the Pod requires being proactive with what the data shows. Identify your top sleep struggles and start making changes to improve your sleep over time. It’s recommended to get a solid eight hours of sleep per night, which for many is a challenge. If you’re a night owl and don’t fall asleep easily, set a realistic bedtime and work backwards a few hours to start a nighttime routine that’s relaxing and sets you up for better sleep. This may include a warm bath, meditation, reading, or listening to quiet music.
And, as tempting it may be to scroll through that feed before bed … social media, TV, and other electronic distractions keep the mind overly active when it should be preparing for sleep. So limit online activity a few hours before going to bed. Alternatively, the introduction of soothing sounds may help ease the mind and replace racing thoughts with a repetitive rhythm to help lull you to sleep. White noise machines or nature sounds from apps are popular among people who have difficulty drifting off immediately.
Each person faces their own struggles when it comes to getting the right amount of sleep. By putting healthy habits in place and giving the body what it needs physically and mentally, it will eventually lead to better sleep. The goal is to get a good night’s rest — however many consistent hours that may include.
