Fitbit and insomnia? Surely not

1MinuteWithTina · February 2020

I got a Fitbit for Christmas and the only time I take it off is when I'm in the shower. I however noticed my sleep got worse. I'm an early riser anyway but I was finding it difficult to get to sleep and to stay asleep. Sometimes my Fitbit records I'd only slept for 3 hours and I go to work shattered.

Anyway, last night I took it off before going to bed and I slept very well.

Coincidence?

I haven't worn it all day as scared to but it really motivates me to move more - exercise, walking etc.

What do y'all think?

Nony_Mouse · February 2020

Coincidence. Possibly you're making yourself anxious over the Fitbit data, but I highly doubt it's the actual device. I also wear mine 24/7 other than in the shower or if it's charging, and my sleep quality rating is generally in the 80s, unless I go to bed late.

Take a look at your sleep hygiene to see if there are any changes you can make there to improve your sleep.

janejellyroll · February 2020

I can't imagine how the Fitbit would make your sleep worse (unless it's somehow provoked by anxiety by knowing that your sleep is being tracked and wanting to perform well). Is it comfortable? Occasionally I'll wake up if my wrist has swollen a bit and my Fitbit is now too tight.

cwolfman13 · February 2020

It's just a watch...I don't see how it could possibly have anything to do with your insomnia.

NovusDies · February 2020

It does not take much to interfere with my sleep. I am not sure a watch could do it but I would not rule it out. If it felt tight, I slept in a way that I felt it more than I should, it bothered me with a light that came on sporadically, it might be enough.

I eventually adjust if it is something I absolutely must wear like a brace for an injury. I would not force myself to adjust to something like a watch.

sarabushby · February 2020

I can’t imagine how this could be true but I do know someone else who said the same thing so hey, maybe there is something to it!
You’ll have to do some experimenting. Maybe try a transitional watch too and try to see if it’s just the physical presence of something on your wrist or the electrical signal.

Luke_rabbit · February 2020

I can think of three reasons.

One is that it is tight, especially as it rides up your arm during the night.

Two is that it is uncomfortable in one of your normal sleeping position. For example, it is pressing against your face.

Three is that you move a lot and the light comes on and disturbs your sleep.

I've noticed all 3.

There is not a huge benefit to wearing it at night. I wear mine some nights, but not others. I find the sleep algorithm to be laughable. It thinks I'm sleeping when we watch a movie, but not sleeping when I clearly am because I move lots while sleeping. After a few weeks, I turned off the sleep info on my app. I know how much sleep I got each night from 55 years of experience in my body. I don't need a fitness device to tell me.

whitpauly · February 2020

Interesting to me, I always wore the Fitbit flex with no heartrate, two Christmases ago I got the Alta HR and after that I COULD NOT sleep! I googled everything I could, the magnetic waves from the HR monitor, maybe it was sending electric pulses thru my arms, heck I dunno I was desperate to figure out why all of a sudden I had awful insomnia, never found an answer, now I just take a unisom and hope for good sleep🤷

Luke_rabbit · February 2020

And I thought of another possibility. Is it giving you buzzes for texts and notifications during the night? I put my phone on do not disturb at night but I know lots of people don't.

fitoverfortymom · February 2020

I take my Garmin off when I sleep. I'm not that interested in the sleep data, and find I sleep better without it. With it on, it just feel uncomfortable and I feel more wakeful.

Scarlettriestorun · February 2020

I used to wear my Fitbit for sleep but it made me wake throughout the night, I became a bit obsessed with my sleep patterns so now take it off each night. Maybe a psychological issue but its definitely worth taking it off.

1MinuteWithTina · February 2020

Thanks everyone. I no longer wear it to bed.

Saskatchebun · February 2020

I don't sleep well with mine on either and have been struggling to make it work. I think its disturbing my sleep with the light going on as I move a fair bit. I'm going to take mine off and see if that helps!

ladyreva78 · February 2020

Mine disturbed my sleep as well. I tend to move around quite a bit and pillow my head on my arms. So everytime I moved and put my head on my wrists, I'd feel the watch and wake up. I also had that when in hospital with the IVs. Moving = feeling those foreign bodies = waking up.

I sleep so much better without the Fitbit on my wrist.

whoami67 · February 2020

I tried sleeping with it for a few weeks, but now I take it off. I can't sleep while wearing it.

Fitbit and insomnia? Surely not

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