If you have trouble falling asleep, don’t worry, you’re in good company – or at least tired company. Over 35% of adults in the U.S. get less than seven hours of sleep every night, and between 10% and 30% suffer from chronic insomnia.
As such, it’s no surprise that many companies are working on ways to help customers get a better night’s sleep. Here’s some tech you’ll be seeing in the near future.
1. Wearables
People are already familiar with the concept of a wristwatch that monitors health. Fitbit alone has over 31 million users. Why not use such a device to improve sleep, too? Devices like Embr Labs’ Wave series of bracelets work by regulating body temperature to help wearers fall asleep faster. Meanwhile, tech company NYX produces a headband designed to learn the wearer’s brain patterns and then stimulate their brain to mimic natural sleep patterns.
2. Apps
Remember when everyone would repeat the phrase, “there’s an app for that,” as a joke? It’s not a joke. 2breathe has created an app that pairs with a sensor worn around the torso. The app senses the wearer’s breathing patterns and slowly reduces their breathing rate as they fall asleep. Once asleep, the app turns the device off. The user can then access data about their trip to slumberland should they need it.
Some apps can assist by analyzing your sleep through the user’s phone’s microphone. They can identify the lightest sleep cycle and tailor alarms, so they only go off at this point during slumber. This helps the user wake up more refreshed and feel like they awoke naturally.
3. Cooler Mattress
Overheating leads to poor sleep. That’s why a mattress with cooling technology could be a game-changer. Some high-tech systems can sense heat on the mattress and adjust its temperature to the sleeper’s ideal under-cover climate. For a more convenient approach, Agility and Immunity mattresses use fabrics and components that offer cooling technology, increased breathability and airflow built right into your bed so you stay cool all night long.
4. Adjustable Bases
Adjustable bases are already fairly common, but future bases will get some much-needed upgrades. For example, elderly individuals are particularly sensitive to a bed’s overall height. Bases are coming that allow for adjustment and even feature motion sensors to turn on lights once occupants exit the bed.
Additionally, bed adjustments are being automated! The ErgoSportive base will allow syncing with a Garmin watch to track how users sleep, and the Quest Connect base can automatically raise the head section to combat snoring, rise to wake sleepers, and be set for different sleep routines.
5. Supplements
Finally, let’s talk about advancements meant to go in your body. For instance, there are pills that contain melatonin, L-theanine, and GABA to assist in achieving a relaxed state.
Sleep aid gummies are also becoming more popular, and consumers will see more of them as 2023 approaches, including ones for children. Meanwhile, other companies, such as So Good So You, are making probiotic juice shots to improve immune health and digestion and help calm users by reducing anxious thoughts.
While technology may be the reason many of us have trouble sleeping (bright phones and tablets, constant messages from work and social media, etc.), at least technology seems to be working on the problem! This coming year may be your best year of sleep yet.
