ANCSLEEP BLOG

It's no secret that our entire world is becoming increasingly digital by the moment. Sleep apps are just the latest representation of this new way of life. But how exactly do sleep apps track sleep? 

Well, the sleeptech market is growing. Research and Markets estimates that the sleep-tech-device revenue will increase from $12.9 B - $49.9 B from 2020 to 2030. More and more people are paying attention to their health and turning to wearables, sleep tracker apps and other accessories that can be used to help everyone get a good night's sleep. 

Day sleepers, however, have a different set of needs and challenges. Nontraditional sleepers, like shift workers, create an additional challenge to the way companies collect data and offer sleep recommendations. Continue reading to see how some sleep apps are accounting for day sleeper's routines and what is to come. 

Curious about if you have sleep apnea or not? Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects many sleepers. It can be a serious sleep disorder with adverse consequences that can have a severe impact on your life. Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms so you can get the help you need promptly. 

There are certain symptoms that are common to sleep apnea. These include snoring and excessive daytime fatigue without knowing why. Most individuals with sleep apnea don't know they have it unless someone else can attest to their snoring. But, if you don't have that person, or if they don't think you're snoring is anything out of the ordinary, then you may want to look out for these other signs!  

On May 16th, 2021, the current administration signed a new law into act called the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021. This law outlines the production and sale of inclined sleepers and crib bumpers which have been associated with approximately 200 infant deaths in recent decades. 

Sleep is one of the hardest thing that parents have to deal with during the newborn period. Parents begin to get almost desperate for anything that can help their babies sleep longer. Inclined sleepers prop babies up at an angle instead of lying flat. Crib bumpers provide cushioning from the hard crib bars. Both have been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. 

This new law only impacts the manufacture and sale of new bumpers and incliners but does not have any impact on the use of these items. This means that populations that may rely on hand-me-down products are still at risk from the issues caused by these products.   

This is problematic as lower socioeconomic and certain racial/ethnic groups like American Indian/Alaska Native and non-hispanic Black infants are more likely to die from sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SUIDS) than non-Hispanic white infants. SUIDS account from unexpected infant-death cases including SIDS, accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed, as well as unknown causes. 

When we are asleep, we are very much under the impression that our minds are completely unconscious. This isn't entirely true as many processes are happening while we are asleep. There is learning, memory formation, growth, and healing. 

There is also a state of sleep that we can enter called conscious sleep. It's not very common, and achieving it can be quite difficult. But if can offer some benefits if you're able to do it right. Continue reading to find out more information about what conscious sleep is, how to achieve it, and how it can benefit you. 

Some sleepers are pillow lovers while others are quite the opposite. Does it make a difference for your health? Potentially. You may be tempted to sleep without a pillow if you have neck or back pain. However, if you have trouble breathing at night due to heart issues, then you may want a pillow at night. There's no hard rule to whether or not sleeping with a pillow is good for you. Continue reading to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of sleeping with a pillow! 

High-profile celebrity deaths like Bob Saget and Ray Liotta may have you questioning your own safety as you close your eyes at night. Especially as we age, each breath becomes that much more precious as anything could happen at any time. Although there is very little control over when our bodies decide we have reached our end, there are some things we can do to ensure optimal health to give ourselves a little bit more reassurance when we lay our heads down to sleep. Continue reading for 5 ways to keep yourself healthy before getting some Zzz's. 

Migraines affect about 15% of the adult population and is the leading cause of living disability in those below 50 years old. Although they seem like "just another headache" migraines are much more severe and persistent than the average headache. They also come with some distinct characteristics and require specific treatments for relief. 

Migraines can be debilitating and cause lost work wages as well as decreased quality of life. There are many things that contribute to migraines such as genetics, stress, hormones, etc. But one common link to migraines is sleep, or lack thereof. Continue reading to find out how restricted sleep can worsen migraine symptoms. 

We focus a lot on what you do at night and how to have a stellar nighttime routine for sleep. However, your morning routine can also impact your sleep. Getting enough sleep is vital for optimal functioning, and physical/emotional wellbeing. There are many adults, however, that don't receive their recommended number of hours of sleep on a regular basis.

The recommended number of hours is 7-8 hours. If someone deviates from this every once in a while, then they can balance it out the following night(s). However, when this is a common pattern, then it leads to chronic sleep deprivation which can lead to regular suboptimal performance. 

What you do at night, however, is not the main thing that impacts your sleep. What you do in the morning can also impact your sleep. Here are five morning habits that are actually ruining your sleep. 

If you are hot while sleeping, it can severely ruin your sleep quality. For optimal sleep, you must be cool. Your body actually drops to about 96 degrees when you are sleeping. Therefore, your outside temperature needs to match that. Your sleeping environment should be anywhere from 66-70F degrees. If you feel very hot when you sleep, continue reading to learn possible causes, and what you can do. 

Getting sleep in older age can be complicated by a multitude of factors. One of those factors are movement disorders while sleeping. When you are asleep, your body is essentially paralyzed, especially in rapid eye movement sleep, or dreaming sleep. This is because your body wants to protect itself from potential harm of acting out your dreams. 

However, there are certain conditions where this doesn't happen. One of those is called restless leg syndrome (RLS)). Another, which sounds very similar, is periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). Both of these are very common in the elderly, further exacerbating or complicating any sleep disorders they may already be experiencing. Continue reading to find out the difference between these two disorders.