Unable to sleep? How to sleep fast? Here’s how Tech can help!

Do you find yourself in a situation where you keep switching in search of cold side of the pillow? Do you spend time thinking why am I sleepy the entire day but cannot sleep at night? Before you stop reading further, this is NOT one of those posts that will ask you to drink chamomile tea and do some exercises that would help.

In this article, I would simply share some tried and tested ways in which tech can help. We have all been concerned currently, regarding the way technology impacts our sleep, screentime and sleep pattern disruption. Well, here is how I use the very same technology to my advantage when it comes to sleeping:

Bedtime Mode:

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise any more to you that blue light in the screens keep you awake. Also, being a veteran screen zombie myself I won’t deny using phone for a long period before I actually fall asleep. So what is the solution? I use an out of the box Android feature called “Bedtime Mode”

Bedtime mode actually makes a sequence of changes to your phone.

• First it puts your phone in greyscale mode. Black and White screen not only restricts the blue light I mentioned earlier, but also makes the phone screen in sync with the dark surroundings hence helping me fall asleep quicker.
• Secondly, it enables Do Not Disturb on my phone. This would mean that there will be no notification sounds. So, if I have fallen asleep already, there is nothing distracting me any more.

Bedtime mode can actually me automated in the settings on the basis of a fixed schedule or whenever you put your phone on charge after a specified time.

Zen Mode:

This is a feature specific to Oxygen OS (OnePlus Devices). More on it, in a different blogpost. In the context of my sleep, say I have decided to go to bed finally, I quickly turn on Zen mode for next 20 minutes. This would mean that even if I change my mind now and want to use my phone again, I won’t be able to do it. At least for a 20 minute period. This comes in really handy because 20 minute period is enough to give a decent shot at sleeping.

Echo Dot

Remember my friend Alexa? Yes she helps me sleep too. So I have set a routine that starts with the keyword, Alexa! Goodnight. As soon as that routine is triggered, very nicely would she turn on the night light and start playing some sleep sounds (a skill available for free). And right after 20 minutes she would go to sleep as well, the way, I must’ve. Sweet right?

Sleep Tracker

This one is totally optional but a definitely good to have feature. If you use any of the track bands right now (Mi, FitBit, AmazFit) most of them have this feature these days. Though they directly do not contribute to your sleep, but they do provide some valuable insights in terms of how well you are sleeping.

I use AmazFit which would give me sleep score and provide data points such as

• Deep Sleep Hours
• Sleep time as compared to others
• Periods when my sleep was impacted
• Ideal time to go to bed

This gives me a sense of control and somewhere in the back of mind I feel the importance of going to bed on time and leave my phone aside.

Conclusion

In almost all my posts, I try to ensure that you get a bang for your buck whenever you spend on technology. These methods definitely work but that doesn’t mean they are enough. With WFH kicking in, we need a decent amount of exercise as well. But I am not a fitness enthusiast. Never have been. At least not enough to preach. I wish you a very good sleep tonight and for nights to come.

Until Next Time..