Research shows that a third of Americans get less than six hours of sleep per night. Getting a good night’s sleep has become a sort of science, with apps available to track our cycle and the idea of “sleep hygiene” storming to prominence. Yet experts believe that our obsession with getting enough rest may also be fueling anxiety and insomnia.
The idea of a sleep tracking app might seem seductive—we live in a time when it is possible to digitize and track almost every aspect of our lives, why not do the same for our shut-eye? Although being able to check up on your sleeping habits might seem like it could optimize your bedtime, there is plenty of evidence that this isn’t the case.
Setting up your sleep tracking app in and of itself can be an issue, as using electronic devices before bed delays your circadian rhythm and makes it difficult to fall asleep. Most apps have not…