Exploring Fitbit Sleep Tracker's Alternative Views

Fitbit devices offer a range of sleep-tracking features that can help users understand their sleep patterns and improve their sleep quality. The basic Fitbit app provides insights such as total sleep duration, sleep score, sleep schedule, and sleep stages, while a Fitbit Premium subscription offers additional features like a sleep profile and snore and noise detection. To track sleep, users simply need to wear their device to bed and ensure it is synced to the Fitbit app. This guide will explore the various ways to view and interpret sleep data using the Fitbit app and device, including steps to access and navigate the different features and settings available.

Syncing your Fitbit device

To sync your Fitbit device, you must first download the Fitbit app on your phone. You can download it from the respective app store. Once you have the app, open it on your phone and turn on Bluetooth.

After setting up the app, you can start wearing the device to sleep. It is recommended to wear your Fitbit moderately snugly and higher on your wrist (toward your elbow) for the most accurate readings. You can also edit your sleep session's start or end time in the Fitbit app.

In the morning, open the app and go to the 'Today' view. Select this from the bottom left of the main dashboard. Pull down on the page to refresh and sync the app with your tracker. You may need to do this several times until you see a sleep duration show up under the section that shows the moon and a letter Z icon. Tap on the icon to see the total hours and minutes you slept, as well as your Sleep Score.

You can also access your sleep data from the watch face. Press the left side button to wake up the screen. Scroll up from the bottom of the screen until you see 'Today'. Scroll up until you get to the sleep icon (moon and letter Z). Scroll to the left to see minutes awake, minutes in REM, light, and deep sleep. Scroll left again to see total hours slept and a graph of your sleep over the last seven days.

If you encounter any issues while syncing your Fitbit device, you can refer to the Fitbit Help Center for troubleshooting tips.

Understanding sleep data

The Fitbit app can help you understand your sleep patterns and quality. The app provides a detailed sleep breakdown, including 10 monthly metrics and a sleep animal that characterises your long-term sleep behaviours. To be eligible for a sleep profile, you must have a Fitbit Premium subscription and a compatible device, such as the Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 2, Inspire 3, Luxe, Pixel Watch series, Sense, Sense 2, Versa 2, Versa 3, or Versa 4. You also need to wear your Fitbit during sleep for at least 14 days during the previous month.

The Fitbit app provides a sleep score, which is a calculation of how much time you slept versus how long you were awake, as well as how much deep and REM sleep you got. The app also provides a graph of your sleep over the last seven days, along with your sleeping heart rate and restlessness through the night.

You can also access your sleep data from the watch face of your Fitbit device. Press the left side button to wake up the screen, then scroll up to access the "Today" view. From there, you can scroll up to access your sleep data, including minutes awake, minutes in REM, light, and deep sleep, as well as total hours slept.

In addition to tracking your sleep data, the Fitbit app can also help you improve your sleep by providing tips and advice. You can also set a smart alarm, which monitors your sleep stages and wakes you during a light sleep stage within a 30-minute window before your set alarm time. This can help prevent you from being roused from a deep sleep or REM sleep, which can leave you feeling more tired.

To get the most accurate sleep data, make sure your Fitbit is positioned securely and snugly on your wrist, about 2-3 finger widths above the wrist bone. It's also important to ensure that your Fitbit has enough battery life to last through the night.

Sleep profiles

Fitbit's Sleep Profile is a feature that gives users a detailed monthly analysis of their sleep patterns. It is available for Fitbit Premium members with Google Pixel Watch, Sense 2, Sense, Versa 4, Versa 3, Versa 2, Charge 5, Luxe, Inspire 2 or Inspire 3 devices. The Sleep Profile provides a detailed analysis of the following 10 features:

• REM sleep: the amount of time spent in the rapid-eye-movement sleep stage, when the brain is active and dreams occur.
• Restorative sleep: the amount of time spent with a heart rate lower than the usual resting rate.
• Sleep stability: how often the brain briefly wakes up as you change sleep stages or sleep position.
• Nights with long awakenings: the number of nights spent awake for long periods due to disturbances.
• Days with naps: the number of naps detected each month.

On the first day of each month, users receive a sleep animal assignment based on their sleep patterns from the previous month. The six animals used are the bear, the dolphin, the hedgehog, the giraffe, the parrot, and the tortoise, each representing different sleep types. For example, the giraffe is associated with shorter but deeper sleep periods and early wake-up times, while the tortoise tends to take longer to fall asleep and spends more time in bed.

To be eligible for a sleep profile, users must have a Fitbit Premium subscription, use a compatible device, and wear their Fitbit during sleep for at least 14 days in the previous month. The sleep data can be accessed through the Fitbit app or on the device itself, providing insights into sleep duration, sleep stages, sleep quality, and sleep patterns.

Sleep stages

Light Sleep

Light sleep is the entry point into sleep each night as your body unwinds and slows down. This stage typically begins within minutes of falling asleep. During this stage, your breathing and heart rate usually decrease slightly. Light sleep promotes mental and physical recovery and strengthens memory and learning.

Deep Sleep

Deep sleep typically occurs in the first few hours of sleep. When you wake up feeling refreshed, you likely experienced solid periods of deep sleep the night before. During deep sleep, your body becomes less responsive to outside stimuli, making it harder to be awakened. Deep sleep enables physical recovery.

REM Sleep

REM sleep is the final stage of sleep, where your brain becomes more active and dreams mainly occur. Your heart rate increases, and your breathing becomes more irregular. Your eyes move quickly in different directions, but the muscles below the neck remain inactive to prevent you from acting out your dreams. REM sleep has been linked to mood regulation, learning, and memory consolidation. It also helps with strategic thinking and creativity.

Fitbit devices with heart rate tracking (except Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge) can estimate these sleep stages by using your movement and heart rate patterns. When you haven't moved for about an hour, your Fitbit assumes you're asleep, and it tracks the beat-to-beat changes in your heart rate, known as heart rate variability (HRV), to determine which sleep stage you're in.

Smart alarms

To set a smart alarm, open the Fitbit app on your phone and swipe left until you reach the alarm screen. Set an alarm if you haven't already, and scroll down to Smart Wake. Toggle the slider and check the time range. You can also adjust the noise sensitivity if you have a Fitbit Sense or Versa 3 and a Fitbit Premium account. This feature allows your device to monitor the noise in your bedroom, such as snoring, which can be useful for discussing any potential sleep issues with a doctor.

It's important to note that Smart Wake is not available on all Fitbit devices. For example, it is not supported on the Google Pixel Watch 2, Google Pixel Watch, or Inspire 2. Additionally, to access certain features like sleep profiles and detailed sleep data, you may need a Fitbit Premium subscription.

While smart alarms can be beneficial, it's worth mentioning that some people may find the abundance of sleep data more stressful than helpful. If you find yourself in this category, it might be best to avoid getting too caught up in the data and focus on getting a good night's rest.

Frequently asked questions