How to use tech to ensure a good night’s sleep

Sleep is a large part of our lives but not everyone manages a healthy amount every night. Rather than relying on medication, give technology a chance.

Apps That Really Work



SleepBot

SleepBt is a free smart alarm and sleep cycle tracker for Android and iOS. If you use it daily, the app can keep track of your sleep, recording your movements and noises during each night. The alarm analyses your sleep pattern and wakes you up during the lightest part of your sleep so that you feel refreshed. It also lets you export data logs





Relax and Sleep



There can be any number of sounds that delay your going to sleep. This free app for Android has a collection of over 35 high quality, customisable sounds (white noise, ocean sounds, crickets, flowing water, nature sounds and so on) to help you relax into a better night’s sleep.



Sleep Cycle

Sleep Cycle is a basic smart alarm that costs `130 (iOS only). Like the others, you need to place your phone on your bed so that the acceleromater can record your movements on the bed. Your device can be plugged in to charge as usual. The alarm can wake you up anytime within a 30-minute alarm window — it rings during thelightest phase of your sleep cycle.



Sleep as Android

If you need every possible feature there is to monitor your sleep patterns, Sleep as Android (Android only) is for you. It can wake you up with multiple alarms, show you detailed stats about your sleep, calulate your sleep deficit and more. The free version remains fully functional for two weeks. If you find it useful, the full version costs `99.



Sleep Time -Alarm Clock

WIth 20 different alarm sounds and a built in algorithm, this smart alarm (Android & iOS) analyses your sleep and wakes you up during the ideal phase of sleep. The Sleep Lab function lets you keep track of your daily sleep score and the interface is quite clever too.



Gadgets to Help You Sleep



Basis Band

The watch-like Basis Band has multiple sensors built in to capture your heart rate patterns, motion, perspiration and skin temperature. The collated data can be viewed on your PC or on an iOS/Android device using a companion app. It also gives you suggestions to improve your sleeping behaviour.

Rs 12,500





NightWave Sleep Assistant

This bedside gadget emits a soft blue light with which you have to synchronise your breathing — breathe in & out as the light fades in & out. The frequency of the light slows over time (and therefore, so does your breathing) which relaxes your mind and body, putting you to sleep.

Rs 4,500



Dreamate Sleep Aid

You start by wearing this wrist band on your left hand. The band massages three specific acupressure points on your wrist that improve blood circulation and relax your muscles to induce sleep. It is to be used 30 minutes before you sleep for best results.



Rs 6,000



Glo to Sleep Mask

This mask has four glowing lines inside that you are required to focus on. It blocks out all light while the glowing lines calm your active brain waves. The makers say that you will feel relaxed and fall asleep within a few minutes.

Rs 4,000

Jawbone Up

This stylish wrist band tracks the number of hours slept, deep or light sleep as well as wake up time. The companion smartphone app displays your sleeping behaviour statistics. It can also be used as an alarm: set a wake up time and the band vibrates at the optimal time in your sleep cycle so that you wake up feeling refreshed.

Rs 13,000



Rise and Shine Light

Using patented technology, the colour changing LED in this device simulates sunrise or sunset to wake you up or put you to sleep. You can even choose from different nature sounds or audio from the built-in FM Radio to wake you up in the morning. A large backlit LCD (with dimmer) helps to set an alarm and also shows the current time.

Rs 10,000