Today: A new era of wearable sleep technology is here. Plus …
“I tried 3 brain-tracking devices to improve my sleep” |
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| NYT Wirecutter |
This year, I started noticing a theme in the world of buzzy sleep technology: wearable brain-wave tracking.
These new products — headbands and earbuds — claim to measure electrical activity in your brain while you slumber, and then use that data to improve your sleep. This sounds futuristic, but the technology isn’t exactly new. Scientists have used it to diagnose sleep disorders in labs for decades. Now companies want to bring the labs to our bedrooms.
I’m already a pretty good sleeper, but I wondered if these high-tech headbands could make me even better. So, for a few months, I tested three of these devices in my own bed. And I spoke with neuroscientists and engineers to learn about whether it’s possible to turn your house into a DIY sleep lab.
I’ll be honest: I found all three of these devices uncomfortable and fiddly. And, in the morning, I woke up with several forehead welts — unsure whether the gizmos improved my sleep at all. But if you’re curious about them, I uncovered a few insights that might help you decide whether to give them a try:
- The wearables use pink noise to improve sleep. They may work, with some caveats: Research has shown that, at the deepest stage of your sleep cycle, sound bursts or audio stimulation can intensify and elongate that sleep phase. Two of the devices I tried on claimed to turn on pink noise at the exact moment of my deepest sleep. Another used pink noise bursts to help me fall asleep. But I found them so uncomfortable that it was difficult to sleep through the night (more on that in a second) — making it even more challenging to reach the deep stage that activates the sounds.
- These devices must have constant contact with skin to work: These wearables need to fit snug in order to maintain a good connection to the sensors. But they’re not very comfortable, especially if you sleep with accessories, like bonnets, head scarves, or eye masks — or just have long hair. After only about two hours, for instance, I groggily woke up and plucked the buds out of my ears.
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- Privacy issues with sleep data aren’t totally settled: The data collected by at-home sleep technologies isn’t protected by law. This means that we don’t know who has access — or what they can see. The companies that sell the three devices I tried all told me that they do not sell data, but we still recommend thoroughly reading the privacy policy of any wearable sleep device you purchase and opting out of data sharing if you want to limit the information available.
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My journey trying to hack my brain waves→
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There might be fiberglass in your mattress. Don’t worry. |
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| Angela Wei/NYT Wirecutter |
You may have heard that there could be fiberglass in your mattress, and that it could be causing a whole host of health issues. Here’s what to know: The use of fiberglass in mattress production is on its way out. But even if you have an older mattress with fiberglass in it, you’re unlikely to encounter any serious issues.
If you want to be extra cautious, here’s how to protect yourself→
More wacky things we’ve tried for better sleep |
Your daily deal: The best cotton percale sheets we’ve ever tested |
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| L. L. Bean |
Over the years, our bedding expert has tested nearly 50 sets of cotton percale sheets. These are still her all-time favorite. The cool fabric and light-as-air breathability feel great in the heat. And they only get better the more you wash them.
They’re 15% off right now→
One small thing that made our week:
On the topic of restless nights: I’m currently in deep sleep debt. (I mostly blame the 11 p.m. World Cup matches, but my 5 a.m. Prime Day shifts didn’t help either.) That being said, you can’t tell, thanks to this luxe eye cream. Its rich, bouncy formula brightens on application, and it leaves my undereyes noticeably softer ’til the next morning. — Brittney Ho, newsletters editor
One last (sleepy) thing: A beautiful, vintage-inspired nightgown |
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| Heirloom Art Co. |
This light and crisp cotton nightgown lends itself to swishing around dramatically while indulging in Jane Austen fantasies. But beyond its good looks, it’s also a great option for anyone who gets hot while sleeping.
For whimsical slumbers→
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