Are You Getting ‘Quality Rest’? Sleep Technology Devices Reveal Data; National Sleep Foundation Updates Indicators At-home sleep technology devices can answer a lot of questions about our nightly rest. Some of these gadgets are worn throughout sleep, according to the American Sleep Association, but others are placed on the bed stand. Feedback from in-device sensors can reveal the amount of deep and light sleep you get each night, how frequently you wake, and the length of tossing and turning. But, what does this personalized data mean in terms of overall sleep quality? A new report from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has been published to highlight the important factors of good sleep, as established by a panel of experts.The report offers more detailed indications of what "quality" sleep actually means, and may help people better interpret the results from their devices. According to Medical Xpress, the new guidelines from the NSF state that good quality sleep requires: Spending at least 85 percent of total sleep time in bed Falling asleep within 30 minutes or less after lying down. Not waking up more than once each night Ever wake up again after initially falling asleep? It’s better if you’re only up for 20 minutes or less. The new report also reveals which sleep-related areas require more research to find ideal conditions. You may be getting eight hours of sleep, but is it quality rest? "Millions of Americans are sleep technology users. These devices provide a glimpse into one's sleep universe, which is otherwise unknown,” said researcher Max Hirshkowitz, PhD, according to Medical Xpress. “The National Sleep Foundation's guidelines on sleep duration, and now quality, make sense of it all — providing consumers with the resources needed to understand their sleep." Last year, the NSF also published an updated report on the ideal amount of sleep we need, which better reflected the importance that age has on one’s resting patterns. As Medical Daily previously reported, the ideal amount of sleep really differs for each individual, but adults between the ages of 18 and 64 should sleep 7 to 9 hours each night. Source
