Is your sleep tracker keeping you up at night?

Sleep health experts have this week warned poor sleepers to be cautious when using apps and devices to track their sleep.

“Pouring over data on your sleep can be fun and may even shed some light on how you sleep, but there can be a downside,” says Dr Siobhan Banks, senior researcher at the Sleep Health Foundation.

“It’s important to realise their accuracy is often questionable. If you’re one of the 1.2 million Australians with a sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnoea these monitors might give you false reassurance or worse still, more anxiety about not getting ‘enough’ sleep that can lead to yet more troubles with sleeping.”

TAKE ACTION: How mindfulness can help you get a better night’s sleep

Does this mean an end to the sleep tracker?

In a word, no.

If you’re not suffering from a sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnoea, tracking your sleep can be useful.

“In fact, it might help some people understand and review their sleep and wake patterns, and this may ultimately improve their sleep, “says Dr Banks.

“They might notice that they have a pattern of repeatedly going to bed late and sleeping less than they should and they might be inspired to go to bed earlier.”

Try these 4 things for a better night’s sleep

Blackmores naturopath Danielle Steedman gives us her expert tips on how to achieve a more restful sleep.

1. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help to improve sleep- just don’t exercise too close to bedtime or it may disrupt your sleep.

2. Turn off your screen

Keep your devices out of your bedroom and switch them off an hour before bed.

WATCH: Why you need to switch off your smartphone before bed

3. Wind down with a herbal tea

Chamomile, lavender and lemon balm are all great choices to help soothe the soul and relax a busy mind before bed.

4. Write it down and let it go

If you’re turning a worrying thought over and over in your mind, write it down before you get into bed and deal with it the next day