Technology has given us lots of way to track our sleep – from apps on our phones to devices we wear – there’s no shortage of data on our Zs.
How do we translate that information into a better night’s sleep? Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the University of Arizona helps sort it out.
Here are a few things to remember:
Measuring sleep isn't exact.
"Sleep comes from the middle of the brain and we can't measure that directly," Grandner said. So scientists look at a variety of measurements from brain waves to movement.
There's two factors important to a good night's rest— the quality and amount of hours asleep.
You can compare how much sleep you get with how you feel throughout the day, Grandner said.
Snoozing before your head hits the pillow? That's bad.
"If you're falling asleep too quickly, that's a sign of sleep deprivation," Grandner said.
