Travel App Of The Week: Sleep Cycle

 You’re getting sleeeeepy. You’re getting very sleeeeeepy. Or you’re getting weirded out at that intro. Either way, chances are you aren’t getting enough sleep. If you’re silently objecting and trying to convince yourself that 5 hours a sleep is more than enough, ma’am or sir, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you are incorrect. According to this sleep infographic, we should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night. I know very few adults who are able to get in this much sleep nightly. Perhaps it’s the coffee addictions that may be giving them away. The fact is, in order to be your best you, getting an appropriate amount of sleep is very important.

Easier said than done, right? For many of us, we may want sleep but sleep simply doesn’t want us. This is particularly an issue when it comes to traveling. While I’ve never had any problem sleeping (hey…I’m the type that can sleep upright in a chair with the lights on), I know many find sleeping in hotel beds uncomfortable  simply because it isn’t their bed. This app can safe the day!

Or at the very least maximize your sleep time. Say hello to Sleep Cycle!

Available in the Apple App store for $0.99, the Sleep Cycle app functions as an intuitive alarm clock. It won’t help you get to sleep but it can be your BFF for when it’s time to wake up. How? By setting the alarm and placing the phone under a fitted sheet, the app uses your iPhone’s accelerometer to monitor your sleep patterns. Yes, I know it sounds gimmicky and if I didn’t use it myself I would not have believed it. Sleep Cycle tracks your sleep patterns and ever so gently sends off your alarm when you AREN’T in deep sleep phase. You wake up feeling refreshed and energized instead of feeling half-dead. I find myself using these nightly and during nights when I don’t use it, I can tell the difference.

Fatigued enough to give it a try? Go for it! For more information about Sleep Cycle and to download the app, click here.