Here’s the Wall Street Journal’s take on smart alarm and SleepTracker:

The Wall Street Journal : Alarms Decide When You Should Really Wake Up

The Wall Street Journal provides a round-up of smart alarms that monitor your sleep and wake you up at the optimal time.

“The SleepTracker is a $149 wristwatch alarm that wakes you at the “true optimum time,” when your body motion suggests you are sleeping more lightly, according to the website of Atlanta-based Innovative Sleep Solutions LLC. You can choose between a vibration, chime or both.”

Image Source: The Daily Beast

Up to 70 million Americans have trouble sleeping at night. There are a slew of reasons why—stress, work, and technology to name a few. In light of April being Alcohol Awareness Month, today we’re looking at alcohol and how it affects your sleeping habits.

A 2009 poll of 2,000 people found that 58 percent of them didn’t realize that sleep problems could be caused by drinking too much. Not only does excessive drinking cause you to need more trips to the bathroom at night, it also disrupts your REM sleep stage. The lack of an adequate REM stage (or any of the 4 stages of sleep) means you’ll wake up without feeling truly rested.

It’s not just excessive drinking that can cause problems. You, or someone you know, have probably had a glass of beer or wine before bed to help induce sleepiness. Doctors actually used to recommend a “night cap” to help patients fall asleep. However, even a small amount of alcohol before going to bed can affect sleep stages, therefore reducing the quality of your sleep.

Board-certified sleep specialist Russell Rosenberg, PH.D, gives the following tips for sleeping well, without using alcohol as an aid:

1. Sleep/wake consistency. Your sleep routine should be as consistent as your personal hygiene routine. Just like you brush your teeth and comb your hair in a certain order each morning, try to maintain a regular sleep/wake cycle by going to bed around the same time every night and waking up around the same time every morning (yes, even on weekends).
2. Get moving! Exercise is a good way to reduce stress. Exercising in the late afternoon or early evening raises your core body temperature above normal. Your temperature will start falling by bedtime and this natural decrease in body heat helps initiate the sleep process.
3. Let the light shine in the morning. While you probably know that light tells the brain it is time to wake up, it also helps set your internal sleep/wake clock. Try eating breakfast outside — sunlight exposure for just 30 minutes in the morning should help you stay alert throughout the day.
4. Kick your caffeine habit. It’s no secret that caffeine is a stimulant. Avoid coffee, soda and tea after 2 p.m. If you need a natural boost, sip on a glass of ice water.

We’d also add using a sleep monitor to this list. SleepTracker will help wake you up at the optimum time, so you feel rested, alert, and ready to take on the day.

Image Source: Kia Motors America

The Sandman. Maybe you recognize his name from the popular song first recorded in the 1950’s or you might have just heard it recently on TV (does this dreamy Super bowl commercial sound familiar?).

Regardless of how you remember the Sandman, this folkloric character has a long history of lulling children to sleep.

A Short Sandman History

1816 – A German short written by E.T.A. Hoffman and titled The Sandman, contains a horrid depiction of the folklore character, the Sandman.

1841 – For many, Hans Christian Anderson’s folk tale Ole Lukoje provides one of the most common depictions of the Sandman, an individual who sprinkles dust in the eyes of children and uses a magical umbrella to show them stories as they sleep.

1933 – Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies cartoon “Lullybye Land” ends with the baby being put to sleep by the sandman.

1954 – The song “Mr. Sandman” is published and first recorded in this year by The Chordettes.

1981 – Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt record their own version on the 1954 song, titled “Mister Sandman.”

1991 – Nominated for an Oscar in 1992, this animated short film was inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s legend of The Sandman. Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” which deals with the concept of a child’s nightmares, was also released this year.

Today – The car company Kia uses the folkloric character and The Chordette’s version on “Mister Sandman” (along with a Victoria’s Secret model, a rhinoceros and the rock band Motely Crue) to sell their dream car.

Though the sandman certainly has his place in history, we realize that getting your rest requires a more practical approach (read: we do not encourage sprinkling sand in your eyes). Looking for your first class ticket to dreamland? SleepTracker allows you to monitor your sleep habits over time to determine what factors are positively and negatively affecting your ability to sleep. Visit our website to learn more.

Image Source: jigzone.com

Kindergartners do it. Cats do it. Your grandparents probably do it too. But is napping actually healthy for the average adult?

Although there are a number of benefits to napping, there are also a number of drawbacks. Napping has not been proven to make up for inadequate or poor quality of nighttime sleep, but it could improve your mood. So should you nap or just plan on an earlier bedtime?

Before you curl up to catch some Zs, make sure you know the pros and cons of nap time.

Benefits of Napping

1. Restore Alertness 

   According to the National Sleep Foundation a nap can increase alertness, enhance your performance, and reduce mistakes. The Mayo Clinic suggests that a short nap can also improve memory and reaction.
2. Relaxation
   Naps also have psychological benefits, providing relaxation and rejuvenation.

Negative Effects of Napping

1. Sleep Inertia
   Naps, especially those that last more than 10-20 minutes, can leave people with sleep inertia, which causes you to feel groggy and disoriented.
2. Nighttime Sleep Problems

   Naps can also have a negative effect on your sleep at night by throwing off your overall sleep pattern.
3. Heart Risks

   According to the National Sleep Foundation, napping is also associated with increased risk of heart failure for those who are already at risk.

Don’t have time to take a siesta? Make the most of nighttime shuteye by tracking your sleep. SleepTracker allows you to better understand what factors are positivity or negatively affecting your sleep patterns, visit our website to learn more.

Image Source: Pawnation

In honor of National Pet Day, we wanted to look at a common pet debate: Should pets sleep in bed with you? The fluffy, cuddliness of dogs and cats makes it easy to let them snuggle in at night. However, if you’re looking to get a good night’s rest, letting your pet sleep in the bed might be a bad idea.

The Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center surveyed 300 patients with sleep problems. Turns out, about 25 percent of insomniacs could have sleep issues because of their pets. Pawnation reviews some of the findings:

“John Shepard, MD, the center’s medical director, found that more than half owned pets, and of those, nearly 60% slept with their pets in the bedroom. Overall, 53% of pet owners felt their sleep was disrupted to some extent every night.”

Typically, if a dog or cat is sleeping in the bedroom, it’s sleeping in the bed with you. So what can you do to wake up well-rested if you’re a pet owner? Here are a few ideas from our pet-owning friends:

1. Reduce trips for potty breaks. A healthy dog should be able to wait until morning to be let out. Take away the water bowl a few hours before bedtime, and take your doggy out just before you head to bed.
2. Introduce white noise. A fan or radio static will disguise a pet’s night noises—leading to fewer interruptions in your sleep.
3. Switch to a crate. A big, comfortably crate with a cozy blanket is a great place for a pet to sleep. Training your fuzzy friend to sleep in one can help you get a healthy night’s sleep.

Having a pet is good for your health, so make sure you’re not letting them do you wrong by keeping you up at night!

Do you sleep with a pet? Do you have tips to share for getting a good night’s sleep? Share them with us on Twitter!

This infographic shares 16 interesting things you may not have already known about sleep.

Via: Psychology Degree

There’s a lot going on while we’re snoozing. Looking for a way to keep track of you sleep? SleepTracker, the number one selling portable sleep monitor, comes with comprehensive sleep software allowing you to see how you slept, ways to improve your sleep and your overall sleep score. Learn something you didn’t know about your personal sleep patterns, with SleepTracker!

From silver screen stars to athletes, here are six celebrities with sleep problems:

George Clooney

Image Source: Free-extras.com

According to an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, America’s favorite silver fox has trouble falling asleep without the TV on. Although many claim the TV helps them sleep, according to research the electronic glow of the television might actually hinder your ability to fall asleep. Instead, we recommend a relaxing routine, like reading or a hot bath.

Lady Gaga

Image Source: Glamquotes.com

Lady Gaga’s fast-paced and sometimes eccentric lifestyle, actually leaves something to be desired… a good night’s sleep! In 2010, the fame monster reportedly told OK! Magazine that she hadn’t slept in three days. Prolonged sleeplessness can lead to impaired judgment, car accidents and loss in productivity. We hope Lady Gaga is now getting the rest she needs.

Shaquille O’Neal

Image Source: AskMen.com

Retired athlete Shaquille O’Neal has sleep apnea, which occurs when someone temporarily stops breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is more common in people who are overweight and/or have thick necks. At 7’1” and an estimated 325 pounds, Shaq’s sleep disorder isn’t surprising.

Sandra Bullock

Image Source: People.com

According to the UK’s Now Magazine, when the Oscar-winning actress first adopted her son Louis, she was only getting three hours of sleep a night. While most new parents can probably relate, three hours of sleep isn’t enough. There is no “magic number” when it comes to sleep, however studies have suggested that healthy adults need 7 – 9 hours per night.

Khole Kardashian and Lamar Odom

Image Source: Shockya.com

Khole Kardashian recently joked on Twitter that her husband, basketball player Lamar Odom, gave her insomnia. The season premiere of their reality show, “Khole and Lamar,” focused on Lamar’s “backwards bedtime schedule” and how it caused Khole to oversleep. Sure, you can’t believe everything you see on TV, but one of the keys to getting a good night’s sleep is establishing a regular sleep and wake time. A quiet wake-up call (so as not to disturb her hubby) at the optimum time could also provide a solution for the “Keeping Up with the Kardashian” star. (Yes, we are talking about the SleepTracker.)

Need to wake-up refreshed and ready to start your day? You don’t have to be a celeb to do it! Check out our product page for more information about SleepTracker.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, there is “no magic number” when it comes to sleep. Studies have suggested that healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep on a regular basis for optimal performance. However, sleep debt—the accumulated sleep that is lost to poor sleep habits, sickness and other causes—can cause you to feel sleep and less alert, even if you’re getting eight hours of sleep a night. In regards to whether or not sleep debt can be “paid off” overtime, the jury is still out.

Age Impacts Sleep Needs

The amount of sleep needed can also be impacted by age. Newborns, for instance, typically need twice as much sleep as their parents (though at times it might not seem that way). Although research can’t identify the exact amount of sleep each person needs, this helpful chart from the National Sleep Foundation provides a “rule-of-thumb” for how much sleep is needed.

Are you getting enough sleep? What’s hindering your ability to log seven to nine hours? Share you sleep stories on our Facebook page.

When it comes to where and when to catch some Z’s, sometimes people make unusual (and uncomfortable) choices. This article by the Huffington Post outlines some of the weirdest places people have fallen asleep. Here are a few of our favorites…

Source: A Blog on Oddities

Looks like someone had a long day at work! While the floor of the subway provides a flat space to lie, it certainly doesn’t lend itself to a comfortable night’s sleep.

Source: Huffington Post

We’ve heard of still-hunting, but this is ridiculous. Looks like in this game of hide-and-seek, the deer gets the prize.

Source: Deshow.net

Ouch, talk about a kink in the neck!  We can’t imagine waking up energized after sleeping in that position.

If your morning feels like you’ve slept in one of these unusual places or positions, it might be how you’re sleeping, but it could also be how you’re waking up. Monitoring your sleep cycles and waking up at an optimum time—during a light stage of sleep—can lead to more energized and refreshed mornings. Learn how SleepTracker can help!

Check out what CNET, USA Today & The Huffington Post all have to say about SleepTracker:

CNET: The Wristwatch Wants To Change Your Life

CNET explains the new software to help users track sleep data over time.

“The idea is that SleepTracker Analytics, which the company unveiled today for Mac and PC, will encourage users to cut out sleep destroyers–caffeine, alcohol, a generally gloomy outlook on life–by visually charting the effect these bad habits have on a good night’s sleep.”

USA Today: Spring Forward With These Gadgets

Alice Truong, for USA Today, rounds up five sleep products to help adjust to day light savings.

“For starters, it’s in the form of a wristwatch, which means it’s always on your person. The SleepTracker also includes a silent, vibrating alarm that wakes you after detecting small movements, which are signs of light sleep. However, instead of stirring you out of bed on the dot at 7 a.m., you input a window of time, such as 20 minutes.”

The Huffington Post: A Review of the SleepTracker Elite Alarm Watch

Ramon Nuez stresses the importance of taking an active roll in sleep health.

“So enter the Sleeptracker Elite. This is a watch that will not only keep track of how well you have slept but it will give you a nice report — showing you how well or poorly you slept. If there is an indication that there is an issue; these report can then be given to your doctor.”