Please share thoughts/experince with tracking devices and apps for sleep. Presently using Apple Watch Ultra and the Pillow app for tracking Sleep. Thank you. Love the information you share in the guest you have on your podcast!

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has discussed various aspects of sleep tracking devices and apps in different contexts on the . Here are some key insights:

  1. Impacts of Sleep Scores: Sleep scores from tracking devices can significantly affect one's perception of how rested they feel. Studies mentioned on the podcast show that viewing a poor sleep score can make someone feel more tired, regardless of the actual quality of sleep they had the night before. This can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies where a bad score results in a perceived bad day 1.

  2. Usefulness of Sleep Trackers: While these devices can provide helpful insights and aid in better sleep habits, their accuracy and impact on daily performance can vary. and guests like discuss the importance of not being overly reliant on these scores for daily performance, suggesting a balanced perspective where trackers are used as one of many tools for wellness 1.

  3. Limitations and False Feedback: There is also an exploration of how feedback from devices can incorrectly influence one's perception of sleep quality. Studies discussed by and show that false feedback about sleep quality can affect cognitive performances the following day 2.

  4. Accuracy of Devices: It's noted that the optimal sleep trackers are currently about 70% accurate in sleep staging. Hence, it's important to take the data from these devices with a grain of salt and combine it with personal feelings and other objective measures 3.

    Sleep Trackers, Insights, and Performance

    Andrew and Peter discuss the impact of sleep trackers on perceived energy levels, the importance of sleep scores, and the behavioral tool aspect of tracking. They also touch on the limitations of recovery scores in predicting performance and the reliance on tried and true methods for athletes.

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  5. Behavioral Tool Aspect: Sleep trackers are compared to other health tracking devices like calorie counters and fitness wearables. They can assist in making more informed decisions about behaviors that affect sleep, such as alcohol consumption or late-night eating 1.

In sum, while sleep tracking devices like the Apple Watch Ultra and apps like Pillow can be useful for gaining insights into sleeping patterns, they should be used judiciously and as part of a broader approach to assessing and improving sleep.

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Compare the Pillow app with other sleep tracking apps.

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The comparison of the Pillow app with other sleep tracking apps isn't specifically discussed in the . However, and guests like do discuss general principles and features of sleep tracking apps that can guide your evaluation:

  1. Feedback and Behavior Modification: Much like any sleep tracking app, the effectiveness often lies not just in their tracking ability but also how they influence behaviors through feedback. Apps like WHOOP provide real-time feedback and suggestions based on the data, which can be a valuable aspect for behavioral modifications 1.

  2. Accuracy and Reliability: The accuracy of sleep tracking technologies varies, with the best ones around 70% effective at sleep staging. This calls for a cautious reception of the data, where the information provided should be a part of, rather than the whole of, your approach to managing sleep 2.

  3. Behavioral Tool Aspect: Similar to calorie trackers or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), sleep tracking apps can act as behavioral tools. Knowing that one's sleep will be quantified might motivate them to avoid certain disruptive behaviors like late-night eating or drinking alcohol 3.

    Performance Enhancement Tools

    Andrew discusses the benefits of using WHOOP for personalized health data and insights. He also highlights the effectiveness of the waking up app for meditation practices, emphasizing improved mental clarity and focus.

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  4. Perception and the Placebo Effect: Some studies indicate that the feedback from sleep tracking can enhance or detract from one's perceived quality of sleep, regardless of objective sleep quality. This shows the impact of these tools on psychological and subjective aspects of sleep 2.

Choosing between the Pillow app and others might depend on specific features each offers, like feedback mechanisms, ease of use, data presentation, and additional wellness tools. It's beneficial to consider these aspects and select one that aligns best with your personal preferences and behavioral response patterns.

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