HOW TO SLEEP SMARTER

Technology is changing the way we snooze

- AMBER BRAMBLE

Quality versus quantity, light sleep versus deep sleep, and what exactly is REM? For something that we do every night, sleep is a mysterious process. But thanks to technology, we're gaining more insights that may help those of us who struggle to get a proper night of shut-eye.

Sleep expert Dr Carmel Harrington answers your questions!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SLEEP?

First, it's helpful to get an idea of what really goes on after we doze off. "Not all sleep is the same, and the different stages that we go through every night help to repair and refresh our brain and body in different ways," Harrington explains. "These stages are light sleep, deep sleep and REM (also known as dream sleep). All sleep stages are equally important and we cycle through these stages throughout the night. A complete sleep cycle, which takes roughly 90 to 110 minutes, involves going through each sleep stage. On average, adults require about five cycles every 24 hours."

SHOULD I USE A SLEEP TRACKER?

Harrington says that sleep and activity trackers can help by giving you a better understanding of your sleep patterns, as well as anything that might be disrupting them. "In the past, the only way to get any insight into our sleep structure was to have an overnight sleep study, often prescribed by a doctor," she explains. "This has now changed thanks to products such as those from Fitbit. It is not a medical-grade device and doesn't replace the need for a doctor, but it does allow us to delve into sleep more deeply than we have been able to do in the past in the comfort of your own home."