Over a period of years, people have realized the significance and contribution of quality sleep on their health and an active lifestyle. And subsequently much has also been done to improve the same. What is a living paradox is the fact that just as technology is known to have adversely affected the quality of sleep for most of us, it is the same technology that is increasingly being used to improve the quality of sleep for people.
So let us introduce you all to SleepTech!
What is SleepTech?
As we have pretty much given a hint, the term SleepTech refers to the use of technology to monitor one’s sleep and hence, take all the required measures to improve it (if required). It is also known as Polysomnographic Technology (PT) and involves the process of monitoring, recording and finally analyzing the data of an individual’s sleep patterns. The analysis of such sleep patterns then helps to identify if the person is suffering from any kind of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea etc.
How is it done?
In this process, sensors are glued to the skin of the patient, usually on their face, body and legs. Once the patient falls asleep, different parameters are recorded such as their breathing activity, brain waves, movements of the eyes and the muscles etc. All of these recorded parameters are then analyzed by the sleep experts to check for any kind of disorders.
SleepTech — Different forms
Apart from the regular, clinical form of sleep analysis, there are various new innovative methods to use technology for analyzing one’s sleep. These include:
- Smartphone Applications
As ironic as it may sound, the very smartphones that we are asked to keep away at least 30 minutes before sleeping are handy not just in sleep analysis but also in sleep assistance. For instance, SenseSleep is a popular application that helps individuals to sleep better by directing them about simple breathing techniques. There are others that are a little more comprehensive such as Proactive Sleep and Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock.
People are increasingly using such smart apps to assist themselves in getting a peaceful sleep.
- Wearable Technology
It refers to the technology you can wear to track your sleep. These have become quite popular recently and are a style statement itself. Some of the popular devices are Fitbit, Jawbone Up, and Nyx Somnus Sleep Shirt.
- Beds
This is not an application, this is not a device, this is technology under your mattress! Probably the most uncomplicated way to perform sleep analysis, the BAM Labs Smart Bed Monitoring Device is a sensor that can be placed under the patient’s mattress to do the job. It uses a Cloud monitoring platform.
SleepTech and Indian Market
The data relating to the sleep patterns of Indians is not a surprise at all! According to a study, more than 90% of Indians are sleep deprived and do not get even eight hours of sleep. Most of the Indians are believed to have just six to seven hours of sleep on average.
But one thing that has changed is their attitude towards sleep. More and more Indians today have started realizing the importance of sleep and its direct effect on their health and productivity.
As people are getting more educated and aware, they are realizing that they need to invest in their good health. Hence people do not shy away from investing in the latest, whether it is a smartphone application, a wearable technology or a mattress that comes with SleepTech technology.
Yes, you heard us right!
There are a very few businesses that are now offering innovative products that are scientifically designed and they have a range of products from Memory foam mattresses with cooling gel technology to two-in-one pillows and mattress toppers. In the days to come, SleepTech definitely has brighter days ahead in the Indian market.
