Wearable devices are all the rage—tracking everything from heart rate to steps to sleep. But when it comes to sleep your sleep tracker might be doing more harm than good.
Enter: orthosomnia.
Orthosomnia is the obsessive pursuit of perfect sleep, often driven by the data from your wearable device. You might go to bed trying to "win" sleep with a high score, only to toss and turn all night, then end up feeling frustrated. This constant performance pressure can lead you to feel more stressed than rested.
Sleep scientist Dr. Rebecca Robbins explains, “For some people, tracking can become stressful. The information they get from the tracker can actually make it harder to sleep the next night.”
In short: the harder you try, the harder it becomes.
Sleep isn’t something you can force—it’s a natural process influenced by your day-to-day life, stress levels, and habits. While health trackers can provide helpful insights, they aren’t 100% accurate and can create unrealistic expectations.
If your sleep score is making you anxious, consider taking a break. Instead of obsessing over numbers, focus on healthy bedtime routines. Try:
· A warm shower or a cup of herbal tea
· Journaling to clear your mind
· Deep breathing or gentle stretches
· Calming music or reading a book
What we have learned
If your sleep tracker is starting to feel like a digital dictator, tuck it in a drawer and go back to basics. Real rest comes from feeling relaxed, not from chasing a perfect score.
Dream big, work hard, sleep ambitiously,
Joe Castignani
