With our modern lives getting busier and more hectic, we struggle to make the most out of our 24 hours. In the process of maximizing our day, we end up sacrificing sleep as we stay awake for hours on end trying to get everything done. We often overlook the fact that sleep affects every part of life, as a lot happens during sleep — the body is recharged, growth hormones are released, bodily tissues and muscles are repaired, immunity is bolstered, stress hormone levels are reduced, and more. Therefore, if you want to make the most of your day, start by improving your night.
In celebration of World Sleep Day on March 13, Fitbit aims to help every Filipino adopt better, healthier sleeping habits. Over a decade ago, Fitbit pioneered sleep tracking, making information that was once only available from a medical professional now widely accessible on the wrist. As it continues to bring better nights of sleep to everybody, here are Fitbit’s tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:
Turn all lights and screens off.
Switch off all sources of light – not only your main lighting, but all electronics that emit any form of light, such as mobile phones, laptops, or tablets. Gadgets could keep your mind awake, and your body right along with it. Set a curfew for you to do a hard stop at checking messages, scrolling through your feed, and other smartphone activity. Keep these devices away from arm’s reach before bed so you can train your mind and body to focus on sleep for the night.
Cut back on caffeine and alcohol.
Limit your caffeine intake to just your morning cup of coffee, as caffeine could affect your sleep for hours after drinking. Studies have shown that drinking alcohol before bed may help you fall asleep faster, but will also cause you to toss, turn, or wake up throughout the night, thus bringing down your overall sleep quality.
Set a sleep schedule.
A consistent bed time can greatly improve your sleeping habits. Your body naturally craves regularity and keeping your circadian clock dialed in is crucial in upholding quality sleep. As your body adjusts to getting enough sleep, you should be waking up naturally at the optimal time each morning, as well.
Try out Fitbit’s new advanced sleep features for better nights and more productive days.
As a leader in tracked sleep, Fitbit’s latest sleep features will not only help you better understand your sleep, but provide the features to help you improve it:
Sleep Stages: Each night, the body cycles through different sleep stages – light sleep, deep sleep, and REM. Using the power of PurePulse heart rate and sensitive motion detectors, Fitbit trackers can measure your time spent in each sleep stage, as well as your time awake, so you can better understand your sleep quality.
Sleep Score: Receive a nightly score in the Fitbit app for better insight into your sleep quality. Your score is based on heart rate (sleeping and resting), restlessness, time awake and Sleep Stages. For more insights and analysis behind your Sleep Score, upgrade to Fitbit Premium.
Sleep Mode: Simultaneously disable your screen display and silence notifications for a night free of disturbances. Sleep Mode can also be used anytime you don’t want to be interrupted, like during a workout or in a meeting.
Decompress after a long day.
Learning how to destress and maintain a positive outlook even after a long, hectic day is one of the most underrated ways to improve your sleep and your overall health. Find simple ways to unwind at the end of the day – go for a walk, take a yoga class, meditate, or take a two-minute guided breathing session with Fitbit’s Relax feature – so you can ease into slumber and have a great night’s sleep.
This World Sleep Day, make a commitment to yourself to get the best possible sleep every night – so you can face each day fully recharged and ready to make the most out of your 24 hours. Fitbit believes that health belongs to everyone and that people should not be priced out of having access to devices and features that can help them improve their health. As sleep is critical to maintaining overall health and wellness, Fitbit’s wide range of innovative products continues to innovate on its sleep tracking features. By taking small steps to improve your health, such as tracking your sleep, you can create a big impact on your health and fitness. Celebrate World Sleep Day with a good night’s sleep so you can wake up ready to take on the world.