cnn.com
Sleep Trackers and Orthosomnia: Anxiety from Inaccurate Sleep Data
Orthosomnia, a condition stemming from sleep tracker data misinterpretation, causes anxiety despite accurate sleep. Inaccurate data from early trackers led to cases of insomnia and inappropriate medication use, emphasizing the need for responsible data interpretation and improved tracker technology.
- What is orthosomnia, and what are its potential consequences?
- A new term, orthosomnia, describes the anxiety some people experience when their sleep trackers show less-than-ideal sleep. This is problematic because sleep trackers aren't perfectly accurate and focusing on the numbers can worsen sleep anxiety.
- How accurate are current sleep trackers, and what are their limitations?
- Orthosomnia, stemming from sleep tracker data misinterpretations, highlights the gap between technology's estimations and the complexity of sleep. Inaccurate data can lead to unnecessary anxiety and even inappropriate medication use based on faulty readings.
- What strategies can mitigate the negative effects of sleep tracker obsession, and what future research is needed to address orthosomnia?
- The increasing use of sleep trackers may inadvertently increase sleep anxiety, potentially due to their inherent limitations in accurately measuring the multifaceted nature of sleep. Future research should focus on improving tracker accuracy and developing strategies for responsible data interpretation to mitigate orthosomnia.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames sleep trackers primarily as a source of anxiety and potential harm, emphasizing negative consequences like orthosomnia and inaccurate data. The headline and introduction immediately set this negative tone.
Language Bias
The article uses emotionally charged language such as "horror stories," "bewildering," and "scary" to describe negative experiences with sleep trackers, creating a more negative perception. More neutral alternatives could include "challenging experiences," "unexpected," and "concerning.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative aspects of sleep trackers and orthosomnia, potentially omitting positive uses or benefits of sleep tracking technology for managing sleep disorders or improving sleep hygiene. It does mention using trackers to understand the impact of lifestyle choices on sleep, but this is presented briefly.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by implying that either one is obsessed with sleep trackers or they don't use them at all. There's a middle ground of using sleep trackers mindfully and without excessive anxiety.
Gender Bias
The article uses examples that are roughly balanced in terms of gender, although the majority of experts quoted are female. There's no evidence of gendered language or stereotypes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article promotes better understanding of sleep and its importance for health. It warns against the negative impacts of orthosomnia, a condition arising from misinterpreting sleep tracker data, which can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and unnecessary medication. The article emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep quality over specific sleep stages and suggests focusing on good sleep hygiene. This contributes positively to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.