5 apps to help you sleep

According to experts we’re sleeping less. In fact, chronic sleep deprivation has been called ‘the disease of our times’. Not getting enough sleep can affect your quality of life. Recent studies have shown that poor sleep affects the immune system, sleep deprivation is tied to anxiety and that poor sleep increases the risk of diabetes and obesity.

If you’re struggling with sleepless nights and disrupted sleep, trade in the old counting sheep for a nifty mobile phone app that will help you get a good’s night rest.

For iPhone users

Hypnotic sleephour

Create the perfect sleep environment with nature ambience and sound. The hour long composition claims it will lull you to sleep. Not only does it aid in sleeping, the app can also be used for self hypnosis and meditation. The app includes four hour-long sleep programs.

Pzizz sleep

Pzizz claims to be your personal sleep assistant and that it cures insomnia and sleep problems. Its soothing sounds helps you to stay asleep all night long. Its features include, ‘inspiring words, enchanting music and delightful soundtracks’. What makes it unique is that it creates a new track every time you press start.

For Blackberry users

Sleep Cycles App Alarm

This app claims to be a regular alarm with a twist, as it helps you to wake up better and fresher. During sleep we go through different stages from deep sleep to light sleep with this app you can set the optimum wake up time. The app’s features include a soft wake up alarm that will go off before the main alarm. There are three relaxing sounds to choose from that will help you move from one stage of sleep to another making waking up easier.  Other features include a scheduler that enables you to set different alarms for different days, a nap alarm and bedside mode to reduce screen brightness.

For Android users

Sonic sleep brainwave audio

This app uses brainwave audio technology that is claimed to relax the body, calm the minds and lead you into a peaceful, restful night. It boasts a collection of tracks that can also be used for self hypnosis, meditation and to de-stress.

Deep sleep with Andrew Johnson

This is a guided meditation application that uses relaxation techniques and visualisations to guide you into sleep. It claims to help overcome insomnia and sleep problems. It is also available as an iPhone app.

(Leandra Engelbrecht, Health24, July 2012)

(Picture: Man under duvet from Shutterstock)

(Sources: www.itunes.apple.com, www.blackberryappworld.com, www.gottabemobile.com, https://play.google.com/store/apps, www.mashable.com, Health24.com )

Read more:

A natural approach to sleep problems

Interesting facts about sleep