May 19, 2023

Discover the Power of Harmonic Waves to Relax and Sleep Better

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, achieving a good night's sleep can sometimes feel like a distant dream. But what if the listening to the right sounds can help? We're happy to introduce a new addition to our ever-expanding sleep aid section: Harmonic Waves.

Unraveling the Science Behind Sound Sleep

Emerging research indicates that listening to harmonic wave compositions, such as binaural beats, can have a profound impact on sleep quality. One study demonstrated that binaural beats at a delta frequency of 3 Hz could stimulate delta activity in the brain, thereby extending the duration of stage three sleep. This deep sleep stage is vital for waking up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Additional studies have underscored the potential benefits of binaural beats for sleep enhancement. For instance, a study involving soccer players who listened to binaural beats between 2 Hz and 8 Hz found that the participants experienced improved sleep quality, reduced sleepiness, and found it easier to wake up. Furthermore, binaural beats have been shown to alleviate anxiety, which can subsequently lead to better sleep.

However, it's worth noting that some researchers have expressed skepticism about the link between binaural beats and reduced anxiety or improved sleep and more comprehensive research is needed to conclusively establish the effects of binaural beats on sleep.

"Image showing the Pillow app interface on a smartphone, with the Sleep Aid feature highlighted, demonstrating the selection of harmonic wave compositions available for better sleep.

Pillow's Sleep Aid: Your Gateway to Restful Nights

Pillow's Sleep Aid section offers a selection of harmonic wave compositions designed to help users relax, calm down, and fall asleep. As a sleep sounds app, Pillow stands out with its scientifically-backed approach to improving sleep.

Whether you're struggling with insomnia or simply looking to improve your sleep quality, Pillow's Sleep Aid feature can help. With the option to choose from a variety of harmonic wave compositions, you can personalize your sleep experience and find the sounds that work best for you.

 

May 11, 2023

Track Your Sleep Environment Like Never Before

We live in a world that is incessantly noisy. While we might have grown accustomed to the constant hum of our environment, these noises can affect the quality of our sleep in ways we might not even realize. Enter Pillow, our innovative sleep tracking app that offers you a unique feature - the Environmental Audio Levels tracking. This tool equips you with the information you need about the audio environment in which you sleep, helping you make necessary changes for a better night's rest.

The Impact of Noisy Environments on Sleep

Several studies have shed light on the harmful effects of noise pollution on sleep. A study published in Sleep Science found that exposure to noise during sleep can lead to a range of sleep disturbances - from changes in sleep stages to more severe disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.

Environmental noise can also lead to micro-arousals, subtle disturbances in sleep that can affect sleep quality without the individual even realizing it. These disturbances, although not leading to full awakenings, can still result in sleep fragmentation and daytime sleepiness, as discussed in this study published in the Frontiers in Neurology.

Given the serious impact of environmental noise on sleep, it's not surprising that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for nighttime noise levels. The WHO recommends that noise levels during sleep should not exceed 40 decibels, equivalent to the sound of a quiet street in a residential area.

Screenshot of Pillow's Environmental Audio Levels feature on Apple Watch, displaying a chart of decibel levels registered during sleep.

Track the environmental levels during sleep with Pillow.

Pillow’s Environmental Audio Levels Feature: Your Personal Sleep Environment Analyst

Designed to work seamlessly with an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, the Environmental Audio Levels feature by Pillow tracks and charts the environmental audio levels throughout your sleep. The chart displays these values in decibels, providing you with a visual representation of the noise in your environment as you sleep.

Along with the noise chart, the feature also gives you the minimum, maximum, and average values of the environmental audio levels. It doesn't stop there; you also get a rating of the average noise levels. All these data points provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your sleep environment's auditory landscape.

This feature works in tandem with Pillow's other key feature - the sleep sound recording and analysis. With the best sleep talk recorder app at your fingertips, you can record yourself sleeping, allowing Pillow to analyze sleep sounds such as snoring and sleep talking. And this isn't just a simple iPhone sleep recorder; it uses sophisticated machine learning algorithms to classify these sounds, giving you insights into any potential sleep issues.

Importantly, the Environmental Audio Levels feature doesn't record or store any audio data. It merely processes levels of loudness registered by the Apple Watch, ensuring your privacy remains uncompromised.

Transform Your Sleep Environment Today

With the power to monitor your sleep environment's audio levels, you can make better-informed decisions to improve your sleep quality. Whether it's identifying a sleep noise recorder or finding an app that picks up noise when you sleep, Pillow offers you this and much more.

Pillow doesn't just listen while you sleep, it gives you a roadmap to better sleep. So why wait? Record your sleep, track your sleep environment's audio levels, and embark on a journey towards healthier sleep patterns. After all, when it comes to restful sleep, every decibel counts.

Download Pillow today, the app that listens to your sleep and start the journey towards a noise-free, peaceful night's sleep.

May 3, 2023

Track Your Blood Oxygen Levels During Sleep with Pillow

Sleep is a critical aspect of our overall health, and tracking its quality can provide valuable insights into our well-being. Among the many factors that contribute to good sleep, blood oxygen levels play a significant role. Monitoring these levels can help identify potential health issues, such as sleep apnea, which can be detrimental to our daily functioning and long-term health.

Research highlights the importance of maintaining optimal blood oxygen levels while you sleep for overall health. For instance, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Peppard, P. E., Young, T., Palta, M., & Skatrud, J. (2000)) found that sleep-disordered breathing, characterized by periods of low blood oxygen levels, is independently associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension. Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Gottlieb et al., 2005) revealed that reduced levels during sleep are associated with an increased risk of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. These findings emphasize the significance of proper blood oxygen levels during sleep for both cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Fortunately, with the help of Pillow, the best sleep tracking app for iPhone and Apple Watch, monitoring your blood oxygen saturation during sleep is now easier than ever before.

Track your oxygen saturation in blood during sleep

Track Your Blood Oxygen Levels with Pillow

Pillow has earned an Editors’ Choice distinction on the App Store for its innovative features, one of which is its ability to track Blood oxygen concentration during sleep. For every sleep session recorded, you can find the results in Pillow’s “Heart tab.” This feature requires an Apple Watch 6 or newer device to function.

Detailed Blood Oxygen Charts and Assessments

With Pillow, you'll receive a detailed chart of your blood oxygen levels throughout the night, including minimum and maximum values. Moreover, the app provides an assessment of these values to help you understand whether they fall within normal ranges. By keeping track of your blood oxygen saturation, you can make better-informed decisions about your sleep habits and overall health.

Take Charge of Your Sleep Health with Pillow

Monitoring blood oxygen levels during sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being. With Pillow's blood oxygen tracking feature, you can now easily keep track of this critical sleep metric and work towards improving your sleep quality.

Don't let poor sleep hold you back any longer. Download Pillow today, and start tracking your blood oxygen levels to unlock the restful sleep you deserve. Empower yourself with the knowledge to make better decisions about your sleep habits and take control of your health.

April 25, 2023

Effortlessly Track Your Temperature During Sleep

Sleep is a crucial aspect of our overall health and well-being, and understanding the factors that can influence its quality is essential. One such factor is temperature, which can play a significant role in the sleep process. Research has shown that our body's temperature fluctuates during sleep, and these fluctuations can impact the quality of our rest. With the latest update to our sleep tracking app, Pillow, you can now effortlessly track your temperature during sleep, empowering you to optimize your sleep environment and improve your overall sleep quality.

The Science Behind Sleep and Temperature

Numerous scientific findings have established the connection between sleep and temperature. Our body's core temperature follows a circadian rhythm, naturally decreasing during the night to reach its lowest point in the early hours of the morning (Kräuchi, 2002). These temperature fluctuations have been linked to sleep stages and the overall quality of sleep.

Ambient temperature, or the temperature of our sleep environment, plays a significant role in determining the quality of our sleep. Studies have shown that ambient temperature affects sleep stages, particularly slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (Okamoto-Mizuno & Mizuno, 2012). An overly warm sleep environment can lead to reduced SWS, while excessively cold temperatures can cause disruptions in REM sleep (Kräuchi, 2007).

Optimizing your sleep environment's temperature can significantly impact your sleep quality, as it facilitates the natural fluctuations in core body temperature that promote restful sleep. By monitoring and understanding these fluctuations with Pillow, you can make informed decisions on adjusting your sleep environment to enhance your sleep quality.

Effortless Temperature Tracking with Pillow

Screenshots of Pillow's Temperature Trend Section.

Easily access your sleep temperature reading from your sleep session report.

Pillow has made tracking your sleep temperature easier than ever before. By wearing an Apple Watch Series 8 or newer during sleep, our app can seamlessly monitor your temperature throughout the night. Once you wake up, you'll receive a sleep analysis report that includes information about your sleep temperature. This data can help you better understand how your temperature fluctuates during the night and the impact it may have on your sleep quality.

New Temperature Trends Section

Screenshots of Pillow's Temperature Trend Section.

Access insightful trends about your sleep temperature in the Trends section.

In addition to the sleep analysis report, Pillow now offers a new section in the Trends tab, providing you with access to your temperature trends on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. This feature allows you to monitor long-term patterns and identify any changes that may be affecting your sleep. By leveraging this data, you can make informed decisions about adjusting your sleep environment or habits to enhance your sleep quality.

What sets Pillow apart as a sleep monitor and sleep tracking app is its unique ability to compare your sleep temperature with other health and sleep metrics, such as Steps, Weight, Sleep Duration, Heart Rate, Sleep Quality, and more. This comprehensive view of your health data enables you to uncover correlations and patterns between temperature and various aspects of your well-being, providing valuable insights for optimizing your sleep and overall health.

Start Tracking Your Sleep Temperature Tonight

Pillow's temperature tracking feature, available exclusively for Apple Watch Series 8 or newer, makes it simple to monitor your sleep temperature and understand its impact on your rest. By receiving detailed sleep analysis reports and accessing temperature trends, you can make the necessary adjustments to create the ideal sleep environment, ultimately leading to better sleep and improved overall health.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to take control of your sleep quality. Download Pillow from the App Store now and begin tracking your sleep temperature with ease. By understanding the critical role temperature plays in your sleep, you'll be well on your way to a better night's rest and a healthier life.

April 20, 2023

ASMR Sounds for Better Sleep

Introducing ASMR sounds to Pillow, our sleep tracking app, was no easy task. We wanted to make sure we offered a variety of compositions that catered to different personal preferences. After much research and testing, we're excited to announce that ASMR sounds are now part of our Sleep Aid library. So, if you're struggling to fall asleep, this might be the solution you've been looking for.

ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is a tingling sensation that starts at the scalp and moves down the spine. It's triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli, like gentle, soothing sounds, which can help relax the mind and induce a sense of calm. Research has found that ASMR can reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia, leading to improved sleep quality. One study published in the journal PLOS ONE showed that participants who experienced ASMR reported increased feelings of relaxation, decreased heart rate, and better sleep quality. Another study in the journal PeerJ found that ASMR could have potential therapeutic applications in reducing stress and anxiety.

We've carefully curated a collection of ASMR themes for you to explore, such as Scissors, Keyboards, Water Splashes, Plastic Wrap, and Paper. Whether you find the rhythmic snipping of scissors or the gentle rustling of paper relaxing, there's something for everyone.

Pillow's ASMR sounds section is now live, and we can't wait for you to try it out. We're confident that these soothing sounds can help improve your sleep experience. Download the app, dive into the new ASMR section, and let us know what you think. We'll continue to work hard to enhance your sleep tracking experience and bring you the tools you need for better rest.

April 11, 2023

Introducing Live Activities for Sleep Tracking

We're excited to announce a fantastic new feature that will enhance your sleep tracking experience with our latest update, Pillow v.4.17, now available on the App Store. Imagine controlling your sleep session without even having to launch Pillow - sounds dreamy, right? Well, that dream has now become a reality with Live Activities!

With this much requested feature, you can now track your sleep session right from the Lock Screen of your device. Live Activities are available if you manually start your sleep sessions by pressing "Start" before you drift off into dreamland.

And if you own an iPhone 14 Pro, we've got some great news for you: Pillow's Live Activity will also appear on the Dynamic Island of your iPhone, making it even more convenient and accessible.

Image of two iPhone devices that display Pillow's Live Activities

The best way to track your sleep without launching Pillow.

Gone are the days of fumbling to check how much time remains until your alarm goes off. With Live Activities, you can easily track the countdown to your wake-up call. Plus, you can effortlessly stop or resume your sleep session if you've paused it for any reason.

For those of you who have set up your sleep tracking preset to include a sleep aid track, Pillow's Live Activities go the extra mile by allowing you to control the playback seamlessly. Say goodbye to interrupted sleep and hello to a smoother, more relaxed bedtime experience.

Image of two iPhone device. One of them displays the expanded view of Pillow's Live Activity on the Dynamic Island.

Control your sleep session right from the Dynamic Island of you iPhone. Play and pause your favourite sleep sounds from the Lock Screen.

To take advantage of this cutting-edge feature, make sure you have iOS version 16.2 installed on your device.

Sleep tracking has never been easier, and we're thrilled to make your nights more restful with Pillow's support for Live Activities feature. So why wait? Head over to the App Store and download Pillow v.4.17 today to experience the future of sleep tracking. Sweet dreams!

Note: Due to limitations on iOS 16, Live Activity sessions longer than 8 hours may not update as expected.

March 21, 2023

Introducing Snoring Trends

Are you tired of waking up groggy and unrested? Has your partner been complaining about your snoring? Pillow now has a brand new feature designed to help you better understand your snoring.

The Importance of Snoring Trends

Tracking your snoring duration is essential for understanding your sleep quality and overall health. Chronic snoring can lead to sleep deprivation, strained relationships, and even serious health conditions like sleep apnea. By monitoring your snoring habits, you can identify patterns and make necessary changes to improve your sleep. And now, with Pillow's Snoring Trends, you'll have a new tool you need to take control of your nighttime noises.

How it works

Snoring Trends allows you to visualize your snoring habits on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis, providing valuable insights into the patterns of your snoring. Additionally, you can compare your snoring duration with a number of health and sleep-related metrics, such as sleep quality, steps, body weight, and more. This comprehensive view of your health data helps you make informed decisions about your sleep environment, bedtime routine, and lifestyle choices to reduce snoring and improve your overall sleep quality.

What sets Pillow's Snoring Trends apart from other sleep trackers is its ability to show you which hours of the day you tend to snore more. This unique feature can help you pinpoint specific factors that may be contributing to your snoring, such as stress, diet, or sleep position. By understanding the times when your snoring is most prevalent, you can make targeted changes to your routine and sleep better than ever before.

To view your Snoring Trends, you'll need to record a sleep session manually before going to sleep. This ensures that the app captures accurate data about your snoring throughout the night. Don't worry, the recording process is simple, and the app will guide you through each step.

Once you've recorded your first sleep session, the Snoring Trends feature will become available in the Trends section of the app. You can then explore your snoring data and discover patterns to help you make informed decisions about your sleep habits.

By tracking your snoring duration over time, you can make informed decisions about your sleep environment, bedtime routine, and lifestyle choices to reduce snoring and improve your overall sleep quality. Start using Snoring Trends tonight and unlock the secrets to a better night's sleep.

June 15, 2022

Pillow v.4.7 – Sleep stage & Heart Rate Trends

Sleep stage trends

It's a well-known fact that our sleep is not the same throughout the night. Scientists have categorized and named the distinct stages we go through during sleep, and every one is essential. Pillow's sleep stage analysis is a first step towards being more aware of how you slept and how much time you spent in each sleep stage.

Pillow's latest update introduces a big update that can help you discover how these sleep stages change over time. The trends tab now includes three new sections, one for each sleep stage with helpful weekly summaries. If you want to delve deeper, Pillow offers a rich detail view where you can review your sleep stage trend on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. What's more, you can compare the time spent on each sleep stage with various categories from Apple Health like, Steps, Caffeine consumption, Dietary Calories, and more.

Sleeping heart rate trends

Another important aspect of sleep is our heart rate. Pillow 4.7 brings a new section that helps you track your average heart rate during sleep. This trend comes with a quick weekly summary and a detail view that helps you track your average heart rate during sleep on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. This is also a trend that you can compare with various Apple Heath categories and discover potential correlations.

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All results are estimates. Pillow is not a medical application and should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult your physician before making any changes to your lifestyle choices or treatment.

April 15, 2022

Pillow v4.5 – Audio recordings and Machine Learning

A huge update for Pillow's audio recording feature.

As you know, you can let Pillow record sounds during sleep like snoring, sleep talking or any other environmental sounds that could be affecting your sleep. Pillow didn't have a way to categorise these sounds but now it does!

Using machine learning, Pillow can now automatically categorize all your sound recordings under specific categories related to sleep. The categorization takes place using on-device intelligence. Pillow doesn't need to send anything outside your device for this analysis which is great for your privacy. This feature doesn't need an internet connection!

We've redesigned the audio recordings section so that you can get a quick overview of the sounds that Pillow recorded during sleep and compare their duration across sleep sessions. This also opens up a new dimension in sleep tracking that we will be introducing in the next versions of Pillow to provide significant insights like the duration of snoring over time and many more.

Our sound categorization algorithm has been specifically engineered for sounds during sleep, and we're very proud of how well it performs. However, it can continue to evolve and adapt based on your feedback. If you believe that Pillow hasn't categorized a sound under the right category, you have the option to change its category. You even have the option to disable any categories that you don't care about to let Pillow keep track of the categories you care about.

If you have any audio recordings that were recorded before this update, you can let Pillow categorize all of them automatically. Simply go to the sleep session and tap to view your audio recordings.

As always, Pillow cannot record audio if you are tracking sleep automatically by wearing your Apple Watch. To let Pillow record sounds during sleep, you must track your sleep manually by pressing "Start" in Pillow before sleep. You can do that by using your Apple Watch, iPhone or iPad. If you use the Apple Watch, please remember to start the sleep session from your Apple Watch and place your iPhone on the nightstand next to you because Pillow will use the microphone of the iPhone to record audio.

Lastly, if you want to help us improve Pillow's categorization algorithm, you have the option to send us any miscategorized sound anonymously.

Try Pillow tonight!

November 19, 2021

Pillow v.4.4 – Tracking your respiratory rate with Pillow

We've just released Pillow v.4.4, a major feature release that brings Respiratory Rate tracking to your sleep sessions.

Your respiratory rate during sleep is a crucial sleep metric. Pillow can now help you track your respiratory rate for each of your sleep sessions. All you have to do is wear your Apple Watch during sleep.

When you wake up, you can check your respiratory rate analysis by visiting the "Heart" tab of your sleep analysis. You can find a detailed chart of the average breaths per minute, average, minimum, and maximum "breath per minute" values. You can also enter your age to let Pillow provide a rating of the values tracked.

To use this feature, please make sure you have updated your Apple Watch to the latest version (version 8 or newer) and that you use an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer.

To learn more about how Pillow tracks your respiratory rate and how it provides its rating, tap on the question mark (?) button that appears next to the title "Respiratory rate" under the "Heart" tab.

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