Learn More: How Fitbit Developed the Sleep Profile Experience (Part 2 - Sleep Animals)

[RebeccaFitbit]

Missed Part 1? Check it out here. 

How did you turn research into sleep animals?

Once we identified the sleeper types, we had to decide: what is the appropriate metaphor? How do we convey metaphors in a culturally sensitive way in a globally available product? We tested animals versus other options and decided that animals were the most relatable. Then, we had to figure out which animals to use. Our UXR team spoke to academics and experts in spokescharacters, animism, totemism, and animal sleep patterns. 

Did you know?

• The animal with the highest proportion of women is the Tortoise, who tends to fall asleep more slowly and get a reasonable amount of sleep overall.
• The sleep animal with the oldest users is the Hedgehog, who typically gets lower amounts of deep and REM sleep. The Hedgehog also has the highest proportion of men.
• The most common sleeper type is the Giraffe, who tends to not get a lot of sleep but sleep solidly when they do.
• The least common sleeper type is the Dolphin, who typically goes to bed at variable times; they sometimes have long awakenings, and they take naps more often than most.  

What can users do with this information?

Users may learn how to sleep better from their Sleep Profile. Your Sleep Animal highlights overall trends in your sleep and can help you understand how you sleep relative to others. Your Monthly Sleep Analysis assesses the 10 dimensions of your sleep health and shows you areas of sleep that you’ve been doing well and areas you could improve.

“For instance, last month my Sleep Animal was a Giraffe because I tended to go to bed late, get less sleep than most users, but did not have much time spent awake. My Monthly Sleep Analysis showed that my “Sleep Start Time” and “Sleep Schedule Variability” were higher than the ideal range, highlighting that these were the areas I could improve.” - Karla Gleichauf, a research scientist on the Consumer Health Research Team. 

Fitbit continues to innovate in sleep tracking. From research, design, and beyond, we see sleep as one part of a broader set of health and wellness patterns. The amount or timing of exercise affects sleep, nutrition interacts with sleep quality, long-term changes to daily habits can affect key sleep metrics, like the Stress Management Score and Daily Readiness Score, and Fitbit helps bring all those areas together to help our users live their best lives.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.

Have questions about your Sleep Score, sleep animal, or sleeping better in general? Join the discussion in our Fitbit Community!