Have you ever heard of orthosomnia? It’s a new term used to describe a condition where people become overly obsessed with tracking their sleep using technology such as fitness trackers and smartphone apps. While it may seem harmless to want to optimize your sleep, orthosomnia can actually be a problem.
The obsession with perfect sleep can cause people to become fixated on the numbers and data provided by their sleep trackers. This can lead to anxiety and stress about not getting enough sleep or not getting good enough sleep. People may also start to base their entire day around their sleep tracker data, such as avoiding social events to ensure they get enough sleep.
Furthermore, orthosomnia can lead to a cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors around sleep. For example, if someone’s sleep tracker data shows they didn’t get enough deep sleep, they may start to worry about the negative consequences of not getting enough deep sleep, such as memory problems or mood issues. This worry can then lead to insomnia or other sleep problems.
Orthosomnia can also lead to an unhealthy reliance on technology. People may start to prioritize their sleep tracker data over their own bodily cues and natural sleep patterns. This can lead to an over-reliance on technology to dictate their sleep habits rather than listening to their own bodies and practicing good sleep hygiene.
In summary, orthosomnia is a problem because it can lead to obsessive thoughts and behaviors around sleep, contribute to negative sleep cycles, and promote an unhealthy reliance on technology. It’s important to be mindful of your relationship with your sleep tracker and to not let the data consume your thoughts and behaviors around sleep.
If you’re struggling with sleep or anxiety around sleep, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional, such as a psychologist or sleep specialist. They can help you address any underlying issues and develop healthy sleep habits that work for you.
