There is very little in our lives today that isn’t somehow affected by technology. We see it in the way we interact with each other and the way we keep ourselves entertained. We also see it in the way we buy and sell the goods and services we need in everyday life.
In recent years, scientists and researchers have gotten involved in the field of sleep. They are working very hard to develop ways we can monitor and eventually improve the way people sleep. Sleep tech is leading the way into a future where people figure to sleep shorter hours and need a higher quality of rest when they sleep.
In the sections below, the information is going to focus on four things that are taking place in the booming sleep tech market. The information will cover everything from wearable sleep devices to new innovations in foam mattresses.
1. What’s on the Horizon for Wearable Sleep Devices
There is little doubt that wearable sleep devices are about to have a great impact on the way we sleep. Subsequently, they figure to influence the way we live our lives.
Wearable sleep devices are devices that are attachable to some part of the body. These devices can be attached to the head region, wrists and ankles, or around the midsection. The sleep tech market is also developing what researchers are calling nearables. These are devices people can place in or around their sleeping area.
Many of these devices use an accelerometer to sense or detect some kind of motion, similar to actigraphy. As an application, researchers are developing these devices to detect body functions while people are sleeping. They can detect a wide range of functions related to sleep, including
– Sleeping/waking patterns
– Bathroom use during sleeping hours
– Heart rate
– Breathing rate
– Snoring
– Sleep interruption due to conditions like sleep apnea
The data these wearable and nearable devices can produce will allow people to detect potential health problems. It can also alert people to the fact they aren’t sleeping well, something they can address with their physicians.
The Merging of the Medical and Consumer Sleep Tech Industries
While the medical sleep tech industry has been focusing on providing people with ways to detect health problems while sleeping, the consumer sleep tech industry has been working on another approach to better health.
With devices like the Apple watch, the consumer sleep tech industry has been working on devices that can be used to monitor sleep as well as daily activities. This refers to devices that can track body function while exercising or moving through everyday life.
In recent years, we have seen the lines that separate these two industries slowly dissolving. Both of these industries are starting to put more emphasis on developing wearable and nearable devices that can allow doctors to monitor a patient’s health issues from remote locations. Imagine the benefits of a doctor being able to monitor high-risk patients for possible conditions like stroke signs to heart attacks, and sleep apnea.
The merging of these two industries is occurring because they both are starting to cover common health areas, using many of the same technologies. It makes perfect sense for these industries to combine forces and take advantage of limited financial resources and the sharing of research information.
Memory Foam Improvements in the Future
In the sleep tech realm, one of the greatest innovations was the memory sleep foam mattress. At a time when medical and healthcare costs were going through the roof, researchers found that memory foam mattresses could provide a better night’s sleep than the conventional mattresses of the past. Over time, this has allowed people to sleep better and successfully address back problems.
Today, it would appear that researchers are still looking for ways to improve the quality of sleep people get because of memory foam mattresses. For instance, researchers have been developing new materials for mattresses. Examples include specialized foams that can help regulate body heat. When placed in a memory foam mattress, it serves to cool down the body temperature to allow users to have a more consistent night’s sleep.
Of course, not all new innovations include physical health. The consumer sleep tech industry has been developing better and easier ways to ship mattresses. Did you know you can now purchase a mattress online, have it shipped to your house in a manageable box, and expose it to natural air while it expands into a usable mattress for your bed?
Truthfully, big box mattress stores are starting to disappear. With the convenience of buying shippable high-quality memory foam mattresses with a few clicks of a mouse, the mattress and sleep industries are changing forever.
Sleep Tech Tackles Sleep Pharmaceuticals
Today’s consumers have very little time to address health concerns. When they have problems sleeping, they want quick fixes so they can get the sleep they need with a minimum of hassle.
The sleep tech industry has been working diligently to find more and better natural alternatives to help people sleep. From essential oils to blue light blocking glasses and even nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are safe and healthy options to put you to bed faster. As the demand for new, convenient, and affordable sleep supplements increases, more products are coming to market.
Indeed, the next five years for the sleep tech industry looks bright. Of course, this is to the benefit of consumers who are looking for ways to sleep better for better health. If you are looking for ways to improve your health, you should keep an eye on what the sleep tech market offers in the near future.
