Samsung Health Sleep: Understanding Rem Sleep Better

Sleep tracking is an important feature of the Samsung Health app and the Galaxy smartwatch range. The app can be used to monitor sleep patterns, with the watch using its built-in accelerometer (motion sensor) and heart rate monitor to detect when the wearer is asleep. The watch also uses its other sensors to gather more detailed sleep data, such as SpO2 sensors. The watch can also detect snoring by using the microphone on the wearer's paired smartphone.

How to set up sleep tracking on the Samsung Health app

Sleep tracking is an important feature of the Samsung Health app, helping you to monitor your sleep patterns and habits. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up sleep tracking on the Samsung Health app:

Step 1: Pair your Samsung Galaxy Watch with a smartphone

First, you need to pair your Samsung Galaxy Watch with an Android or iOS smartphone. This is important as it allows you to keep a record of your sleep data over an extended period, helping you to identify trends and make comparisons.

To pair your devices, install the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone and open it with your Samsung Galaxy Watch nearby. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

Step 2: Install the Samsung Health app

Once the pairing is complete, download and install the Samsung Health app on both your phone and watch. This app will be your primary tool for monitoring your sleep patterns. During installation, set up the app using your Samsung account or create a new one if you don't have an existing account.

Step 3: Turn on automatic heart rate monitoring

Open the Samsung Health app and scroll down to the "Heart rate" section. Tap on it and then scroll down to the bottom of the screen, past your current heart rate and HR range for the day. Here, you will find the Settings option, which may also be labelled as "HR and stress measurement" or "Auto HR settings".

Within the Settings, turn on "Measures continuously" or "Always" to enable your watch to track your sleep stages, including REM sleep. You can also set high and low heart rate notifications here, and even change the default heart rate values if needed.

Step 4: Turn on Samsung Health's REM sleep recording

Depending on your watch model and app version, you may need to enable REM sleep recording. To do this, open the Sleep category in the Samsung Health app and swipe to find the Settings button. If you don't see the Settings option, tap the three-dot More button and select Settings from there.

Toggle on "Record REM sleep" if this option is available. This setting is important as it enables the tracking of the four stages of sleep: awake, REM, light, and deep sleep.

Step 5: Turn on blood oxygen level monitoring during sleep

Your watch can also measure your blood oxygen levels during sleep, especially if worn about an inch above the wrist bone with the sensors fitting snugly against your skin. To enable this feature, open the Samsung Health app and go to Settings > Blood oxygen during sleep > On.

For Wear OS 3 Samsung Galaxy Watch models, the process is slightly different. Open the Wearable app, navigate to Watch Settings > Samsung Health, and toggle on Blood Oxygen during sleep.

Step 6: Set up snore detection (optional)

The Samsung Health app also has a Snore Detection feature, which uses your phone's microphone to record and identify snoring sounds while you sleep. To enable this, open your phone's Settings, go to Apps > Samsung Health > Sleep > More options > Snore detection.

Alternatively, you can access this setting on your watch by navigating to Settings > Measurements > Snore Detection. You can set this to "Always on" or manually toggle it on for specific periods. You can also choose to record audio and set how long these recordings are saved.

Once snore detection is enabled, place your phone on a flat surface near your head when sleeping, with the microphone facing you.

By following these steps, you will have successfully set up sleep tracking on the Samsung Health app. Remember to wear your watch correctly, positioned about two fingers above your wrist bone, for the most accurate results. Enjoy tracking your sleep journey!

How to interpret sleep tracking data

Sleep tracking can be a useful way to gain insight into your sleep patterns and habits. While the data provided by sleep tracking devices is not as exact as that of a medical sleep study, it can still help you recognise patterns in your sleep habits and make adjustments accordingly.

• Sleep duration: Sleep trackers can record the time you spend in bed and how much of that time was spent sleeping. This can give you an idea of your sleep efficiency and help you identify any issues with falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Sleep quality: Trackers can detect interruptions during the night, such as tossing and turning or waking up. This information can help you understand the quality of your sleep and identify factors that may be disrupting your sleep.
• Sleep phases: Some trackers monitor the different phases of sleep, such as light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. This data can provide insights into the depth of your sleep and help you understand which stages of sleep you are spending the most time in.
• Environmental and lifestyle factors: Some devices record environmental factors such as light and temperature, as well as lifestyle factors like caffeine intake, meal times, and stress levels. By tracking these factors alongside your sleep data, you can identify potential influences on your sleep quality.
• Heart rate and movement: Sleep trackers often use heart rate and movement data to determine your sleep stages. Higher heart rates and more frequent movement typically indicate lighter sleep, while lower heart rates and less movement suggest deeper sleep.
• Sleep scores: Some trackers provide a sleep score that reflects the overall quality of your sleep. Keep in mind that this score considers factors beyond just the duration of your sleep, such as the amount of deep sleep and REM sleep.
• Visual representations: Many sleep tracking devices provide visual representations of your sleep data, such as graphs or pie charts. These visuals can help you identify patterns or trends in your sleep habits over time.
• Comparing data: Sleep tracking data can be compared against typical sleep ranges for individuals of similar age, gender, and body weight. This comparison can provide context for your sleep habits and help you identify areas for improvement.
• Identifying trends: By tracking your sleep data over time, you can identify trends or patterns that may be affecting your sleep. For example, you may notice that you feel more energised when you sleep at certain times or that certain lifestyle factors impact your sleep quality.
• Sleep coaching: Some sleep tracking apps offer sleep coaching programs that analyse your sleep patterns and provide personalised recommendations. These programs can offer guidance on improving your sleep habits and enhancing your sleep quality.

It is important to remember that sleep tracking data should not replace the advice of a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your sleep quality or persistent sleep issues, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.

How to fix common issues with sleep tracking

Sleep tracking is a popular feature on Samsung's Galaxy Watch, but it can be frustrating when it doesn't work as expected. Here are some tips to help fix common issues with sleep tracking on your Samsung device:

Clean the Sensors:

Start by inspecting the back of your watch for any grime or grease buildup. Over time, dirt, salt, and grease from everyday use can interfere with the sensors' ability to accurately gather data. Use a microfiber or lint-free eyeglass cleaning cloth to gently wipe the sensor area clean. If necessary, moisten the cloth with a small amount of water or rubbing alcohol to remove stubborn residue. Ensure you don't use hand sanitiser, soap, or other cleaning products, as these can damage the sensors.

Check Wear and Fit:

Make sure you're wearing your watch correctly at bedtime. It should be snugly fitted, at least an inch above your wrist bone, with the sensors in direct contact with your skin. Consider using a flexible fabric stretch band at night to ensure a secure fit, especially if you tend to move around a lot during sleep. Alternatively, try wearing the watch on the inside of your wrist, as tattoos or arm hair can sometimes interfere with sensor readings.

Verify Sensor Settings:

Incorrect sensor settings can also lead to inaccurate sleep tracking. Open the Settings app on your watch, then navigate to Privacy or Security and Privacy, and select Permission Manager. From here, ensure that Samsung Health has access to your sensor data about vital signs and physical activity. If access was previously denied, be sure to grant it.

Review Samsung Health Settings:

Even with the correct sensor permissions, Samsung Health may not be capturing sleep data if certain settings are disabled. Open Samsung Health on your watch, scroll down to Settings, and ensure Heart Rate or HR and stress measurement is set to "Measure Continuously" for optimal sleep reporting. You can also select "Every 10 minutes" to conserve battery life, but this may impact the accuracy of your sleep stage report. Additionally, enable "Blood oxygen during sleep" if your model supports this feature.

Update Apps and Firmware:

Samsung occasionally releases updates for its apps and watch operating systems, which can improve sleep tracking accuracy. Open the Wearable app and navigate to Watch Settings > Watch Software Update to update your watch's operating system. You can also update individual apps through the Play Store app on your watch or the Galaxy Store in the Wearable app for Tizen watches. Don't forget to check for updates to the Wearable app and Samsung Health app on your paired phone as well.

Reboot Your Watch:

If you've recently updated your apps or firmware, a simple reboot can fix many issues. Press the Home button and power off your watch, then wait 30 seconds before powering it back on. If this doesn't work, you can force a reboot by pressing and holding both buttons simultaneously until the screen indicates a reboot.

Enable Bedtime or Goodnight Mode:

While Samsung Galaxy Watches typically track sleep automatically, some users have found that manually enabling Bedtime or Goodnight Mode improves sleep tracking consistency. This mode mutes most notifications, turns off the always-on display, and silences system sounds, helping to reduce battery drain and accidental interruptions to sleep tracking. You can enable this mode via the crescent moon or bed icon in your watch's Quick Settings. Remember to manually disable it when you wake up.

Reset Your Watch:

If all else fails, resetting your watch to its factory settings may resolve the issue. Be sure to back up your data first through the Wearable app or Settings app on your watch. After resetting, you can restore your data or set up the watch as new.

If you continue to experience issues with sleep tracking, you can reach out to Samsung's support team for further assistance.

How to manually add sleep data

To manually add sleep data, open the Sleep tile in the Samsung Health app on your phone and scroll down to Record Manually or Add sleep record. Enter the time you went to sleep and the time you woke up, then save it.

• Open the Samsung Health app on your phone.
• Find and open the Sleep tile.
• Scroll down until you see the option to Record Manually or Add sleep record.
• Enter the time you fell asleep and the time you woke up.
• Save the changes.

Your manually added sleep data will now be visible in the Samsung Health app, along with any other sleep data collected by your Galaxy Watch. This includes your sleep score, actual sleep time, and weekly average sleep time. You can also view more detailed information, such as the amount of time spent in each sleep stage: Awake, REM, Light, and Deep sleep.

In addition to manually adding sleep data, you can also enable automatic sleep tracking on your Galaxy Watch. To do this, follow these steps:

• Pair your Galaxy Watch with a smartphone by installing the Galaxy Wearable app.
• Install the Samsung Health app on your phone and watch.
• Enable automatic heart rate monitoring by opening the Samsung Health app, scrolling down to Heart rate, and turning on Measures continuously or Always.
• Turn on blood oxygen level monitoring during sleep by opening the Samsung Health app on your watch, navigating to Settings > Blood oxygen during sleep, and turning it on.
• Set up snore detection by opening the Settings on your phone, selecting Apps, choosing Samsung Health, and enabling Snore detection.

By following these steps, you can manually add sleep data or set up automatic sleep tracking on your Galaxy Watch, allowing you to monitor and improve your sleep habits.

How to use the Samsung Health app to improve sleep

Sleep is an essential function of the human body, and the Samsung Health app can help you improve your sleep quality. Here's how to use it:

Step 1: Install the Samsung Health App

Download and install the Samsung Health app on your smartphone. This app is available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Step 2: Pair Your Samsung Galaxy Watch

If you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch, pair it with your smartphone. This allows you to keep a record of your sleep data over days, weeks, or months, which can be a great motivator to improve your sleep habits.

To pair your watch:

• Install the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
• Open the Galaxy Wearable app with your watch nearby.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

Step 3: Set Up Sleep Tracking

Now, you can set up sleep tracking on the Samsung Health app. Here's how:

• Turn on automatic heart rate monitoring by opening the Samsung Health app, scrolling down to "Heart Rate," and enabling "Measures Continuously" or "Always."
• Turn on blood oxygen level monitoring during sleep. This feature is available on certain watch models and works best when the watch is worn about an inch above the wrist bone, with the sensors touching your skin.
• Set up snore detection. This feature uses your phone's microphone, so place your phone near your head when sleeping.
• Turn on REM sleep recording. This setting may be available under Settings in the Sleep category of the Samsung Health app.

Step 4: Understand Your Sleep Data

The Samsung Health app provides detailed sleep data, including:

• Sleep time: The duration of your sleep.
• Sleep score: A rating of your sleep quality.
• Sleep stages: A breakdown of the different stages of sleep (REM, light, deep) and how long you spent in each.
• Blood oxygen during sleep: Your blood oxygen levels while sleeping.
• Snore detection: The amount of time you spent snoring.
• Sleep skin temperature: Your body's skin temperature during sleep.
• Sleep consistency: The number of days you achieved your sleep goals in a week.

Step 5: Utilize Sleep Coaching

Samsung Health offers a sleep coaching program to help you improve your sleep habits. To use this feature:

• Wear your watch for at least seven nights, including five weekdays and two weekend days, to gather sleep data.
• Answer a sleep-related survey.
• After a week, you'll be assigned a "sleep animal" based on your sleep type, and a personalized sleep coaching program will be created for you.
• Follow the sleep coaching program, which includes checklists, meditation guidance, personalized reports, and sleep-related articles.

Remember, while the Samsung Health app can be a valuable tool for improving your sleep, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized sleep advice and to address any sleep disorders or persistent sleep issues.

Frequently asked questions