Apple Watch Sleep Benefits: What Science Says
Generally, You Should Be Aware That sleeping with an Apple Watch can have numerous benefits. Obviously, I used to think wearing my Apple Watch to bed was pointless, but recent studies have changed my mind completely. Normally, I would not bother with tracking my sleep, however, my doctor advised me to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to manage my health condition. Usually, people do not realize the importance of sleep schedules, but a recent study by Scripps Research revealed that deviating from your usual bedtime can increase the risk of sleep apnea and hypertension.
How Science Changed My Mind About Sleeping with an Apple Watch
Naturally, I was skeptical at first, but the data from the study, which involved over a thousand adults and two years of sleep data from wearable devices, found that even a one-hour delay in bedtime significantly increases these risks. Interestingly, the Apple Watch has features that align perfectly with these findings, it tracks sleep schedules and can detect signs of sleep apnea and hypertension. Essentially, the Sleep Score system on the Apple Watch considers the duration of sleep, interruptions, and adherence to a bedtime schedule.
Initial Reluctance
Initially, I was never a fan of wearing my Apple Watch to bed, the idea of having a device strapped to my wrist all night was uncomfortable, and I didn’t see the need since I primarily used the watch for tracking workouts. Normally, my phone alarm was sufficient for waking up, and I didn’t need the watch to notify me, but that was before I knew the benefits of tracking my sleep. Often, people overlook the importance of sleep in their daily lives, but it is crucial for our overall health.
The Game-Changer: Scientific Research
Fortunately, my attitude started to shift when my family physician advised me to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to manage my health condition, and I began using the Apple Watch to track my sleep data for monthly evaluations. Usually, I would not bother with tracking my sleep, but the watch was doing more for my health than I realized. Notably, the study by Scripps Research was a game-changer, it made me realize the importance of sleep schedules and the risks associated with deviating from them.
Apple Watch Features
Apparently, the Apple Watch has features that can detect signs of sleep apnea and hypertension, and the Sleep Score system considers the duration of sleep, interruptions, and adherence to a bedtime schedule. Generally, this feature has been tracking my sleep consistency, which is crucial for managing sleep apnea and hypertension risks. Moreover, the Apple Watch’s Hypertension Notifications feature can alert users about chronic high blood pressure, which is particularly important because hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms.
Personal Experience
Personally, wearing the Apple Watch to bed is no longer just about tracking sleep duration, it’s about monitoring my overall health. Normally, I would not think twice about wearing the watch to bed, but now I see the benefits, and it provides valuable insights into my sleep patterns and potential health risks, which I can discuss with my doctor for a more accurate diagnosis. Obviously, this has been a game-changer for me, and I’m willing to overlook the minor discomfort of wearing it to bed.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while further research is needed to fully understand the link between bedtime schedules and health risks, the initial findings are compelling. Usually, people do not realize the importance of sleep schedules, but the Apple Watch has become an essential tool for monitoring my health. Generally, the potential benefits for my cardiac and neurological health are well worth it, and I would recommend wearing an Apple Watch to bed to anyone who wants to take control of their health.
