Getting a good night’s sleep remains elusive for many people. In 1999, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reported that about 60 million people in the United States suffer from sleep problems; 40 million experience chronic long-term problems. In 2013, the Center For Disease Control (CDC) stated that approximately 9 million people take prescription medication to aid sleep, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicines said that 10 to 20 per cent of the American population take over the counter sleep aids. I count among that number as I have been taking melatonin nightly for about 15 years. Whatever the exact numbers, clearly many people have issues sleeping well.
Sleepace’s Reston, crowdfunded earlier this year on Indiegogo, has been on the market since mid year and may provide information about your sleep that could help you get a better rest at night. You don’t wear the Reston device, you sleep on it. Reston has a two foot long, medical grade, paper-thin (2mm) magnetic sensor with a magnetic lid on one end that attaches to a bedsheet. You place the Reston crosswise on the bed under the bottom sheet or mattress pad, positioned under your chest for most accurate readings. The device monitors your sleep cycle, heart rate, respiratory rate and body movements. Reston’s battery lasts about one month on a charge and communicates via Bluetooth 4.0 to store your sleep data for later review on a connected iOS or Android smartphone. You can also read and share weekly and monthly sleep quality reports. If other family members use Reston devices the data can be stored in a Family Cloud application that lets you share sleep data worldwide.
Whether you just want to know how well you sleep and if there are patterns in your breathing, heart rate, and movement during the night, or if you are working with a sleep consultant or medical professional, Reston appeals to those who do not wish to take medicine or sleep aids and also don’t want to wear a sleep assistance device. As we learn more about what actually goes on during the night, perhaps more of us will sleep better.
