Track Rem Sleep: Fitbit Alta Hr's Hidden Feature

Fitbit Alta HR is a fitness tracker that can be used to monitor sleep patterns. It uses a combination of movement and heart rate data to determine whether the user is sleeping, how much they are sleeping, and the quality of their sleep. This allows the device to measure the length of different sleep stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. By tracking sleep patterns, the Fitbit Alta HR can provide insights into the user's sleep health and help them understand how to improve their sleep quality.

How to check your sleep stages on the Fitbit app

To check your sleep stages on the Fitbit app, you'll first need to wear your Fitbit device to bed. The Fitbit uses a combination of your movement and heart rate to determine whether you are sleeping, and to measure the length of your different sleep stages.

Once you've worn your Fitbit to bed, follow these steps:

• Open the Fitbit app and sync your Fitbit device.
• Tap the sleep duration tile. If it says "Analyzing your sleep", your device's data hasn't synced yet.
• Swipe down to the Sleep timeline graph.
• Press and hold the graph. Move your finger left or right to check your sleep stages. Tap the Benchmark or 30-day average tabs to check additional data.

You can also tap the "30 Day AVG" and "Benchmark" icons for more detailed data. The "Benchmark" tab will show how your sleep stage estimates from the previous night compare to the averages of others in the same age range and sex.

How to use the sleep stages benchmark

To use the sleep stages benchmark on your Fitbit Alta HR, you must first have the device on your wrist as you sleep. The Fitbit Alta HR uses a combination of your movement and heart rate to determine whether you are sleeping, how much you are sleeping, or if you are not sleeping at all.

The benchmark is based on published data to show how your sleep stage estimates from the previous night compare to the averages of others in the same age range and sex. The graph displays the typical range for each sleep stage as a shaded area. It is important to keep in mind that sleep cycles vary naturally, so you may notice your sleep data occasionally fall outside the typical ranges.

• In the morning, open the Fitbit app and sync your Fitbit Alta HR device.
• Tap the sleep duration tile. (If it says "Analyzing your sleep", your device's data hasn't synced yet.)
• Swipe down to the Sleep timeline graph.
• Press and hold on the graph. Move your finger left or right to check your sleep stages.
• Tap the Benchmark or 30-day average tabs to check additional data.
• Tap the "Benchmark" tab to see the percentage of time spent in each sleep stage.

The sleep stages benchmark is a useful tool to gain insights into your sleep patterns and compare them to averages based on age and gender. It can help you identify areas where your sleep may need improvement and make adjustments accordingly.

How to edit your sleep history

Editing your sleep history on the Fitbit app is simple. First, from the Fitbit app dashboard, tap the sleep tile. This is the tile that says "How did you sleep?" or, if you tracked sleep the night before, shows how many hours and minutes you slept.

Next, tap the sleep log that you want to edit, and then tap the pencil icon in the top right corner. From there, you can adjust the time you went to sleep or the time you woke up. Once you're done, tap "Save".

If you're having issues editing your sleep data on the app, try the following:

• Make sure that your Fitbit App is up-to-date.
• Log out of your Fitbit App.
• Turn off the Bluetooth.
• Shut off your phone and turn it on after 1-2 minutes.
• Turn on the Bluetooth.
• Log back into your Fitbit App.
• Try editing your data again.

How to adjust your Fitbit's sleep sensitivity

To adjust your Fitbit's sleep sensitivity, follow these steps:

• From your Dashboard, navigate to your Account tab.
• Scroll down and tap on Advanced Settings.
• Tap on Sleep Sensitivity.
• Tap on Sensitive if you want extra-detailed sleep tracking and records of nearly all of your movements. This setting may be helpful if you find that you keep waking up tired. Fitbit recommends the Normal setting if you sleep with a partner who tends to move around in their sleep.

For devices that record sleep patterns instead of sleep stages, you can set your device to track sleep in a normal or sensitive mode.

In normal mode, when you make significant movements like rolling over, your device records time spent awake. This setting is appropriate for most users. In sensitive mode, your device records nearly all movements as time spent restless or awake. This setting may be helpful if you wake up feeling tired even though your sleep history shows sufficient rest.

To change your sleep sensitivity setting:

• From the Today tab in the Fitbit app, tap your profile picture, then Fitbit settings.
• In the Preferences section, tap Sleep.
• In the Bedtime Reminder section, tap Sleep sensitivity and make your changes.

Please note that the sleep sensitivity setting on your device does not affect sleep stages.

How to set a sleep schedule and bedtime reminder

Setting a sleep schedule and bedtime reminder on your Fitbit Alta HR can help you maintain a consistent sleep pattern and get better rest each night. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Open the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
• Tap on the "Sleep tile" on the app dashboard. This will allow you to access your sleep settings.
• Set your sleep goal by deciding on the amount of time you want to sleep each night.
• Set your target sleep time, which is when you want to go to bed.
• Set your target wake-up time for when you want to wake up in the morning.
• Set the time and days you would like to receive a bedtime reminder. This reminder will notify you when it's time to start winding down for the night.
• (Optional) To make the most of your sleep data, keep the Alta HR on during the day as well. Fitbit analyses your sleep patterns in the context of your daily activity, and this can lead to more helpful insights.

Remember that a consistent bedtime is essential for improving your sleep, so try to stick to your sleep schedule as closely as possible. You can also explore your sleep habits through the Fitbit app's sleep insights feature, which will give you a better understanding of your sleep patterns.

Frequently asked questions