All this blue light coming from my screen is great and all, but, What apps help put you to sleep?
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, many of us will be glued to our screens as the only way to interact with our friends and family. This will only lead to increased anxiety and mental health issues.
With 1 in 3 adults reportedly not getting the recommended 7 hours minimum sleep, the health and welfare of many of us is at risk. Because as we’ve pointed out on here, in today’s world in which we’re constantly short on time, when we want to create more time, sleep is the first thing we’re willing to sacrifice – and that is not as honourable as it is portrayed!
Technology has found ways to insert itself into every aspect of our lives and sleep is just another area that apps and technology are set to conquer.
Due to the increasing prevalence of sleep disorders and mental health issues, why not get a fresh start this year with some of the best rated “sleep improvement” apps on the market?
Hidden Costs: Price
The first thing you may notice about sleep apps and other reviews out there is that many of them fail to mention that after an initial free trial, there’s usually a subscription fee. This is often a yearly fee.
Don’t get us wrong – it’s not that they’re not worth the money – as a matter of fact, anything worth using is worth something, or why would you be using it – but we have to work with reality – we don’t like to pay for stuff, unless we need to. For this reason I’ve highlighted when there are further fees, and you can decide if those apps are worth it – although it’s always good to go through the free trial period.
The Sleep Cycle
Free? Yes – with a paid version available.
Rating 4.5 Android/IOS
Qualities: The app for learning how well you slept last night.
Tired of waking up to a fire drill every morning? So was I. The Sleep Cycle app resolves this and much more.
Think of this app as the “million-dollar alarm clock”, if such a thing is possible.
The Sleep Cycle is a sleep tracker app which allows you to get “feedback” on your sleep “performance” (at least, that’s the creative way I found to look at it).
It very accurately tracks when you enter the first sleep phase all the way until you wake up using the built in microphone of your device, and then provides the scientific data in the observations from that night of sleep. It’s actually quite a strange experience the first few times, but it’s very useful.
Key features:
- “Sleep Aid” function – uses soothing sounds to clear the mind and put you in a sleep state
- App analyses the data to determine what sleep stage you’re in.
- Uses the data to inform you of your ideal wake up time
- Allows you to set wake up time – it’ll then gently wake you within a 30 minute bracket around that time.
- Stats dashboard to show you the sleep you’ve had each morning.
Looking to find high quality sleep aid products rather than apps? Check out the list of the most used sleeping aids going into 2020.
Sleep Time
Free? Yes – with a paid version available.
Rating: 4 Android/IOS
Qualities: The app for learning how well you slept last night.
While it has 1 million downloads (android) compared to Sleep Cycles’ 5 million – This has been reviewed as a “masterpiece” by some users – pretty high praise.
This is essentially an alternative to the Sleep Cycle app. They are very similar in function and I would honestly say the choice will come down to preference – but it’s always good to have options.
It has a unique section labelled “Soundscapes” – providing relaxing sounds such as wave breaks and rain forests ( I believe Sleep Cycle updates have also added this feature) as white noise has long been known to help troubled minds to calm, as sound provide an effective distraction from obsessive thoughts.
Pzizz
Free? Yes – with a paid version available.
Rating: 4 Android/IOS
Qualities: Offers an almost endless number of “Dreamscapes” (relaxation inducing sequences) which insures there’s something for everyone.
Pzizz is an innovative entry into the sleep quality improvement niche of apps. With its unique “Dreamscapes” – a mix of music, voice-over and sound effects curated by the scientifically studied psychology of acoustics – it has over 100 billion possible combinations for you to test.
No wonder it proclaims that you will “sleep at the push of a button”. How likely that is yet to be seen, but the app has quickly gained a large following due to its unique colour scheme and dynamic interface.
Key features:
- Offers the ability to choose between male or female voiceovers
- Engaging: the app invites you to take on their 7-day sleep challenge to highlight the benefits of the Premium service.
Headspace: Meditation
Free? Yes – with a paid version available.
Rating: 3.8 Android/IOS
Qualities: Pushes notifications to you as a reminder to meditate at different points of the day, to your liking. Each session is just a few minutes.
This more of a meditation app rather than one designed specifically for getting to sleep. However the benefits of mediation on our quality of sleep and quality of life on a whole are widely reported in this day and age.
The practice of meditation is one that has become very popular among westerners and seen a sharp rise in the media and online from wellness influencers and healthcare professionals alike.
Meditation itself is where many of us struggle – it’s something city life rarely leaves much time for, so apps such as Headspace make it more of a digestible snack so that it doesn’t seem like a daunting task – you know, sitting down for hours like a monk. The horror.
Key features:
- You’re not expected to sit in silence for hours. Easily reminds you to stop and have alight meditation session, so that the compounding effects of a calm mind will bring you to better sleep long-term.
- 10 million android downloads is nothing to balk at.
Calm
Free? 7 day trial – with a paid version activated after the 7th day ends (be ready to cancel your sub if you don’t want to pay automatically.).
Rating: 4 Android/IOS
Qualities: Sleep Stories for bedtime, relaxation music, high quality meditation section
This may be the highest rated sleep app found on either android or IOS.
But it comes at the end of the list because of its price. There seems to be little complaint in the service it offers in regards to improving quality of sleep and general user experience, but it does have what is regarded as a well… steep pricing contract.
I start the analysis with that because it seemed fitting to know the “cons” in order to highlight the best parts of the app.
From first opening the app to the interface and services offered, this app has been produced with the intent to cater to a very visually-stimulated crowd, willing to pay for the highest quality user experience.
Similar to Headspace in terms of the meditation sessions, but the sessions are quite a bit longer and may appeal to those with more time or more experienced with “calming” the mind (had to do it.). Additionally the phone becomes a giant landscape of peace and serenity, which is a nice touch.
Key features:
“Zen-inducing” landscape to gaze at – if you’re eyes are not closed. Longer sessions for more serious learners / practiced meditators.
Have you tried any of the above apps? What has your experience been with App-based sleeping aids?
