How does the fitbit monitor sleep?

[jc_2]

I routinely get less than 60% efficient sleep.  I'm wondering how the sleep is monitored and if this might be a health problem.  I'm thinking of talking to my doctor, but not sure he will think the fitbit reliable information.

[Odyssey13]

jc, welcome to FitBit.

Read this article on how sleep is tracked. It might help you understand it a bit more.  click

I have my settings as sensitive and on my non-dominant hand. As for my efficiency, it's never more than 75% and I'm more restless and awake than I thought, but I am a light sleeper.

Keep an eye on it and if you feel you should talk with your doctor, you should. Some insurance companies have a nurse on duty that you can speak with about health concerns. Might be an idea to call and talk with her, too.

[CrystalG]

Hi. I logged my sleep for the first time last night . It did not give me a percentage. Where are you looking ?

On mine, I do see that I was restless 17X and awake 3 times.

On another note- If you are only getting 68 % quality sleep- this fit bit tracker may be saving your life. Perhaps you have sleep apnea and really should take the results of your sleep  to the doctor. Im interested to see how it comes out. Good luck.

[SunsetRunner]

What setting do you use, regular or sensitive? And do you use dominant or non-dominant hand? Do you sleep with a partner (or animal)?
Most importantly, how do you feel like you slept when you wake up? Do you feel rested, exhausted or somewhere in between?

Fitbit tracks your sleep by monitoring your movements, meaning the movements of the wrist you're wearing your fitbit on. So if you roll around in your sleep, it will most likely register it as being restless or maybe even awake. It might even register it if you have a partner that moves, even if you're completely still.
It's basically the same function that tracks your steps and in the same way that it's hard to accurately track steps correctly, it's hard to track sleep correctly.

[sassy135]

I routinely get a sleep efficiency of 90% or more. I've been tracking it for almost two months now. I sleep with two dogs that wake me up at least once a night and I get up to go to the bathroom at least once a night.

[SeeleyAnne]

I would also like to know how you guys are seeing a percentage of your sleep?

[Dominique]

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@SeeleyAnne wrote:
I would also like to know how you guys are seeing a percentage of your sleep?

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Anything from 90 to 100%, with sleep tracking sensitivity set to Normal (default). I'm using a One, in case it matters (each Fitbit model has their own algorithm and may behave differently for things like VAMs, and perhaps sleep as well).

[Odyssey13]

Look at the Log's sleep section.

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@SeeleyAnne wrote:
I would also like to know how you guys are seeing a percentage of your sleep?

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[SeeleyAnne]

In the app, or on the website? Because in the app, under the sleep section, I don't see a percentage. Only awake time, restless time, and asleep time.

[Odyssey13]

In the Log, under sleep, on the website.

I see a percentage, in a box in the sleep area near the restless and awake.

[KIDSTeachLV]

I only just got my FitBit (Flex) and I already know I have sleep issues, but wearing in on my non-dominant hand, keeping the setting on normal, sleeping with a dog and a husband, my percentages are accurate for they amount and type of sleep I get.  With my medication for the insomnia (Bi-polar and manic primarily at night) I have gotten between 85-90% percent. The awake and restlessness are also very accurate with what I know about my sleeping patterns.  

If you wake up in the morning feeling unrested (before ever having the fit-bit) find yourself tired throughout the day, etc., or are just worried about your quality of sleep, it isn't harmful to bring it up to your General Practitioner and see what they suggest.  Perhaps your FitBit did just discover something about you that can help improve your quality of life, which is what it's purpose is anyways, right? 

[CarDoor]

The sleep tracker is one of my fav parts about the Fitbit. It is bang on with me and when I look at the patterns, I know exactly if I was up or if one of the dogs was bothering me at that time. I am restless quite a bit but I still usually have over a 90% sleep rate.

[MissIndianaNL]

On a bad night, I can drop as low as 86% but usually I average about 91%. When my boyfriend is with me, I usually average a little better sleep around 95%. I think the tracker is fairly accurate for my sleep patterns. 

[scoobie57]

log on to the fitbit web site.  go to the Log tab, and then sleep tab.  If you set your fitbit to sleep or you started the sleep tracking on the App on your phone, it will have the times already there and give a %.

[audrey427]

I'm wondering why it's specified to wear on the non dominant hand?  I am surprised when I wear it on my non dominant hand how little it is saying I'm awake/restless.  I can tell my sleep quality is not as good as it is reporting and that I am more restless than it reports, but I think I do more action with my dominant hand.  For example, if I flip over onto my side or stomach and adjust the covers, typically it is with my dominant hand.  Or if my cat comes to sit on me, I move her away with my dominant hand.  Last night I swtiched and wore my fittie on the right hand (dominant) and I feel the reading I got was much more realistic for the sleep quality I feel I'm getting.  So I'm curious why the instruction to wear on the non dominant hand, doesnt make sense to me?

[SaRahab]

I found the article to be very helpful.

[midnight0300]

Before getting my fitbit, I used an app called Sleepbot.  With that you can even record your movements and sounds such as snoring.  Because I had used that a while, I am comfortable using the fitbit sleep log.  It seems to be pretty close.  

[RLJack]

You are real lucky or do not move much while asleep!

[Kitsboy]

i think it just tracks how many times you move your arm. I usually get around 20-25 restless a night but when I wear it on my ankle I only get 5-8 which is about right I tend to roll over a bit. Is there a reason it has to be on the non dominate wrist?

[Scarlet26]

Interesting, I am going to have to take a look and get this set up. One of the reasons I upgraded from the zip to the flex!