In today’s world where multi-tasking and hustling 24/7 are highly praised, it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, according to Science Daily, one in four Americans are sleep deprived and living with frequent insomnia. Many things can be causing you to lose sleep such as depression, anxiety, a busy schedule, chronic health conditions, pain, and raising kids, just to name a few.
Getting a solid 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night is vital to your overall health and well-being. It can boost your immune system, give you focus, help control your weight and a whole host of other benefits. Unfortunately, many people struggle to fall asleep or to stay asleep without waking several times a night. For all those technically-inclined, here is an app for that! The most accurate sleep trackers will come with wearable devices like the FitBit or Apple watch, but those can be pricy.
Here are 6 of the best free or cheap sleep apps on the market right now.
Table of Contents
The Three Best Apps For Falling Sleep Quickly
- Calm Get comfortable in bed and let the Calm app lull you to sleep with peaceful “sleep stories” set to gentle bedtime music and read by soothing voices. Calm has both guided and unguided meditations, music and sleep stories to help relax your mind and make you fall asleep faster. There are a few free features such as the “7 days of calm” and some tracking stats but you can get the entire catalog of sleep stories for $12.99 a month, $59.99 a year or $299.99 for a lifetime subscription. There are also sleep stories on Calm that are made specifically for kids so you can make bedtime both fun and relaxing for everyone.
- Headspace
Get out of your head with guided meditation from Headspace. A calming voice will help you focus, let go of the worries of the day, and ultimately help you sleep better at night. You can learn how to use mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and increase good quality sleep in just minutes per day. The first few meditations are free and a subscription is $12.99 a month. This is one of the more pricey apps but still well worth it if you’re having trouble sleeping at night.
- Pzizz
An advanced sleep and power nap analyzer, Pzizz offers beautiful imaginative “Dreamscapes” or sleep stores to help you fall asleep faster. The app will then wake you at the optimal time for a full rest or a short nap. There is both a free and paid version available. There is scientific evidence that certain sounds can help us fall asleep faster. Some people might also enjoy white noise or nature sounds.
Can Improving Your Sleep Help Boost Your Immune System?
Can improving your sleep really boost immune system tonight? Numerous studies suggest that a good night’s rest plays a pivotal role in strengthening your immune system. Adequate sleep promotes the production of immune cells and enhances their functionality, helping your body fight off infections and diseases effectively. So, prioritize sleep to optimize your body’s defense mechanism.
Three Apps That Help You Track Your Sleep Habits
- Sleep Cycle
The Sleep Cycle alarm clock app tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you up during a stage of “light sleep.” Waking up to a blaring alarm clock will start your day with a mini heart attack but waking up during the light sleep stage feels like waking up naturally. The app tracks your movements while you sleep using the microphone and accelerometer inside the phone that is placed beside you in bed. You’ll get to track your sleep and see how much time you speed in deep sleep versus lighter sleep.
- SleepScore
SleepScore is a free sleep tracking app that will help you gradually improve your quality of sleep over time. The first night you use the app it will give you a “sleep score” based on your breathing and movement throughout the night. You can see a detailed analysis of each stage of sleep you were in. Then, the app will give you some science-backed advice to help you improve your sleep sessions. Watch each night as you progress and get a better night’s rest.
Sleep Genius
Learn what your bedtime should be, keep a consistent sleep schedule, monitor the quality of your sleep and learn how to improve your sleep habits all with one low cost ($4.99) app. It even has an alarm clock and a relaxation program to help you fall asleep faster. This is an all-in-one sleep app that will help you gain energy and improve your overall health.
Knowledge is power when it comes to your sleeping habits. This is data you would never know without a tracker since you are unconscious and unable to track your own stats when asleep. Once you’re armed with information you can make a plan to improve the amount and quality of the sleep you get each night. Now you can wake up refreshed, improve your mental and physical health, and live a more satisfying life.
Pro sleeping tip, use your new sleep app while you’re cozy under the cover of your brand new weighted blanket for the perfect night’s sleep!
She tried every sleep system and trick to conquer her insomnia for good.
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