Obsessed with getting good sleep? It could be making it worse

Salon - May 2nd, 2025

Omega Chen, a software engineer in San Diego, became increasingly stressed over the sleep metrics tracked by his Garmin watch, a sentiment shared by many Americans. Despite efforts to improve his sleep scores, Chen found himself more anxious and eventually took a break from his device. This phenomenon, termed 'orthosomnia,' is characterized by an unhealthy obsession with perfect sleep patterns as tracked by wearables. Experts such as Dr. Kelly Baron and Dr. Cathy Goldstein note that while these devices can provide valuable insights, they often lead to increased anxiety and can worsen sleep quality when users become overly focused on metrics.

The proliferation of sleep trackers from brands like Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin has highlighted both the potential and pitfalls of self-monitoring sleep. While these devices offer large-scale data for researchers and can inform personal sleep improvements, they are not always accurate, especially across different skin tones and body types. The devices' limitations, coupled with their influence on user behavior, underscore the need for a balanced approach to sleep health where personal intuition and feelings are prioritized over numerical data. Sleep scientists emphasize that trackers should be used as guides rather than definitive measures, encouraging users to focus on how they feel rather than solely on device metrics.

Health Garmin American Academy Of Sleep Medicine Anxiety Omega Chen Orthosomnia Dr. Kelly Baron Dr. Cathy Goldstein Sleep Trackers Insomnia Fitness Technology

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the use and impact of sleep trackers, highlighting both their benefits and potential drawbacks. It effectively raises awareness about the psychological effects of relying on wearable technology for sleep monitoring, making it a relevant and timely piece. While the article is generally accurate and balanced, it could improve in areas of source transparency and citation to enhance credibility. The narrative is engaging and accessible, though it would benefit from a more structured format to improve readability. Overall, the article successfully informs readers about an important health topic, encouraging critical evaluation of technology's role in personal wellness.

Accuracy

The article presents a generally accurate depiction of the issues surrounding sleep trackers and their impact on users. It correctly identifies the phenomenon of 'orthosomnia' and the potential stress caused by over-reliance on sleep metrics. The claim that roughly one-third of Americans use sleep trackers and that 70% of them change their behavior based on the data is plausible, but the article does not provide the original source or methodology of the cited survey, which limits verifiability. The article accurately discusses the limitations of sleep trackers, such as their inability to accurately measure sleep stages compared to polysomnography, but it could benefit from more precise data on the accuracy levels of different devices. Additionally, while the article mentions that photoplethysmography sensors are less accurate on darker skin tones, it lacks direct citations to studies confirming this claim.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view by discussing both the benefits and drawbacks of using sleep trackers. It highlights how these devices can help users identify sleep patterns and potentially improve sleep quality, while also addressing the negative effects of becoming overly focused on metrics. The inclusion of expert opinions from sleep scientists and psychologists adds depth to the discussion, presenting multiple perspectives on the issue. However, the article could improve by including more voices from users who have had positive experiences with sleep trackers, as the narrative is somewhat skewed towards the negative consequences of their use.

Clarity

The article is well-written and easy to follow, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the various aspects of sleep tracking. It clearly explains complex concepts, such as the limitations of photoplethysmography sensors and the psychological effects of tracking sleep metrics. The language is accessible and avoids jargon, making the content understandable to a general audience. However, the article could benefit from a more structured format, such as subheadings, to better organize the information and enhance readability.

Source quality

The article references experts such as Dr. Kelly Baron and Dr. Cathy Goldstein, lending credibility to the discussion on sleep trackers and their psychological impacts. However, it lacks direct citations or links to the studies and surveys mentioned, such as the 2023 survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This lack of source attribution weakens the overall credibility of the article. Providing direct access to the studies or reports would enhance the reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing and explanation of methodology. While it mentions a survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and research by various experts, it does not provide specific citations or links to these sources. This makes it difficult for readers to verify the claims independently. The article could improve transparency by including more detailed information about the studies and surveys it references, such as sample sizes, methodologies, and potential conflicts of interest.