Finding Fitbit's Sleep Tracker: A Guide To Better Rest

Fitbit offers a range of fitness trackers and smartwatches that can help you understand your sleep patterns and quality. All Fitbit devices have sleep-tracking functions that work in the same way and deliver the same information, except for older devices that don't measure heart rate. Fitbit devices automatically detect your sleep when you wear them to bed and can track your sleep stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. The data provided by Fitbit's sleep tracker can help you identify areas where you can improve your sleep habits. In this article, we will explore the different ways to find and use the sleep tracker on your Fitbit device.

How to set up your Fitbit sleep tracker

To set up your Fitbit sleep tracker, you'll need to download the Fitbit app on your smartphone. The app will allow you to set up and customise your sleep tracking preferences.

Setting Up Sleep Tracking

• Open the Fitbit app.
• From the "Today" tab, tap the "Sleep duration" tile.
• Tap "Bedtime", "Wake Time", or "Sleep duration" to set or edit your targets.
• Set a bedtime reminder in the app to help you maintain a consistent sleep schedule. You can also set reminders for specific days of the week.

Customising Sleep Tracking

• Open the Fitbit app.
• From the "You" tab, find the "Goals" section.
• Tap "Sleep".
• Tap "Bedtime", "Wake time", or "Sleep duration" to set or edit your targets.
• To set a sleep goal, tap on the round icon in the top left corner of the screen. Tap "Activity and Wellness" > "Sleep" > "Time Asleep Goal", and use the pull-down menu to adjust your total sleep target.

Additional Tips

• For the best sleep tracking results, wear your Fitbit moderately snugly and higher on your wrist (toward your elbow) for the most accurate readings.
• Make sure your Fitbit is charged to at least 40% before bed, especially if you are using features that affect battery life, such as noise detection.
• If you find yourself still tired after a full night's sleep, try setting a smart alarm. The Smart Wake feature will wake you during a light sleep stage within a 30-minute window before your set alarm time.

How to view your sleep data

To view your sleep data on Fitbit, you must first ensure that your Fitbit device is synced with your smartphone. This will allow your sleep data to be transferred to your Fitbit app.

To sync your device, swipe up from the clock face on your tracker or watch to get to the ''Today' tab, where you can view your total sleep from the previous night. You can also view your Sleep Score by tapping the Sleep tile. If your device has not synced, open the Fitbit app and wait a few moments for your device to send your sleep details to your dashboard.

Once your device is synced, you can view your sleep data by opening the Fitbit app and tapping the Sleep tile on your dashboard to see your sleep history. From there, you can tap on a specific day to see the details of that night's sleep, including your sleep stages and sleep score. You can also tap 'Sleeping heart rate' to find stats for your most recent sleep session, or choose a specific week, month, or year to view data from that period.

Additionally, you can view your sleep profile on the first of every month, which provides a detailed breakdown of your sleep patterns. To get a more accurate sleep profile, it is recommended to wear your Fitbit during sleep for at least 14 days during the previous month.

How to improve your sleep

To track your sleep using a Fitbit device, you can use the Fitbit app or a Fitbit smartwatch. The Fitbit app allows you to set sleep targets, receive bedtime reminders, and view your sleep patterns, including your time spent awake, restless, and asleep. It's important to note that the app is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. To track your sleep, simply wear your Fitbit device snugly on your wrist during sleep, and it will automatically detect your sleep patterns.

Now, here are some tips on how to improve your sleep:

Establish a Consistent Sleep Routine:

Having a regular sleep routine can significantly improve your sleep quality. This includes going to bed and waking up at fixed times, even on weekends. Start by setting a bedtime and a wake-up time target using the Fitbit app. You can also set a bedtime reminder to help you maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

Create a Relaxing Sleep Environment:

Your sleep environment plays a crucial role in the quality of your sleep. Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, usually around 65°F (18.3°C). Consider your personal preferences for temperature, lighting, and noise levels. Make your room quiet and dark by using earplugs, closing the curtains, and turning off electronic devices. You can also try relaxation techniques such as reading, listening to soft music, or practicing sleep meditation.

Manage Stress and Anxiety:

Stress, worry, and anxiety can disrupt your sleep. Try daily stress management techniques such as talking to someone you trust, writing in a journal, or practicing reframing unhelpful thoughts. Setting aside time before bed to make a to-do list for the next day can also help calm your mind.

Avoid Stimulants and Late-Night Snacks:

Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and energetic exercises 1-2 hours before bedtime. Instead, focus on relaxing activities. Additionally, limit your food intake a few hours before bed, and if you must eat, opt for a small, low-carb snack.

Improve Your Bedding and Mattress:

Upgrading your bedding and mattress can positively impact your sleep quality. Choose bedding materials that suit your personal preferences and the temperature of your environment. For example, wool is great for cool temperatures, while linen is ideal for young adults in warm climates.

Remember, understanding your sleep patterns with tools like Fitbit is an excellent way to identify areas for improvement. By combining these insights with the tips provided, you can take a holistic approach to enhancing your sleep quality.

How accurate is the Fitbit sleep tracker?

The accuracy of Fitbit sleep trackers has been the subject of much research and discussion. While Fitbit sleep trackers are not as accurate as polysomnography for academic research, they are still helpful for monitoring sleep trends. Fitbit's sleep tracking algorithm relies on motion tracking, heart rate monitoring, and machine learning to estimate sleep duration and quality.

On average, Fitbit sleep trackers tend to overestimate total sleep time by about 10% and underestimate deep sleep and REM sleep by about 20% each. This means that the Fitbit may tell you that your sleep is worse than it actually is. Additionally, Fitbit sleep trackers do not consider external factors such as room temperature, noise, or disturbances from partners or pets that can affect sleep quality.

However, newer models of Fitbit have shown improved accuracy in detecting sleep phases and calculating overall sleep and wake times. They are also more accurate at estimating several sleep parameters like total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset. The accuracy of Fitbit sleep trackers is also influenced by factors such as skin tone, as research has shown that many fitness trackers have difficulty measuring the heart rates of people with darker skin tones.

Overall, Fitbit sleep trackers can be a useful tool for monitoring sleep trends and estimating sleep duration and quality. However, they should not be solely relied on for medical purposes or sleep analysis, and it is important to consider the limitations of the technology.

How does the Fitbit sleep tracker work?

The Fitbit sleep tracker works by using heart rate sensors and motion detectors to track your sleep. The user wears the tracker or watch to bed, and the device uses sleeping heart rate, movement and more to measure the time spent in each sleep stage. It then gives the user a personalised Sleep Score that shows how well they slept. The Fitbit tracker also provides a silent alarm that wakes the user with a quiet vibration on their wrist during the optimal sleep stage.

The Fitbit app allows users to set a sleep schedule, with a bedtime or wake-up time target, or both. If the user meets their target, a star appears in the sleep schedule graph. The app also provides a sleep profile, which is a detailed sleep breakdown available on the first of every month. The app also allows users to check their sleep stats, including their sleeping heart rate, and provides a sleep sensitivity setting.

Fitbit devices and Google Pixel Watch series automatically detect sleep when the user wears the device to bed. The device should be worn in a snug wristband, and not in a clip or pendant accessory. The device records that the user is asleep when their body is completely at rest and they haven't moved for about an hour. Devices that track heart rate also track sleep stages.

The Fitbit sleep tracker is designed to help users get better rest, boost energy and improve their well-being. The tracker provides insights into the user's sleep patterns and quality, allowing them to understand their sleep and make any necessary adjustments.

Frequently asked questions