The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

As millions of Australians strap on smartwatches, rings and fitness bands each night, Professor Chris Gordon, Insomnia and Chronobiology research leader in the Woolcock’s Sleep and Circadian Research Group is urging caution.

Professor Gordon says we should all take a step back and ask: are these devices truly helping us sleep better or are we becoming slaves to the numbers?

“There are literally hundreds of millions of these devices out there,” he says. “And what that tells us is simple: people really want to know about their sleep.”

But while the appetite for sleep tracking has exploded, the science behind it is still catching up. Professor Gordon says that although wearable devices are improving, they remain far less accurate than clinical sleep studies — especially when it comes to detecting deep sleep and subtle sleep disturbances.

THE UPSIDE

“They’re getting better — but they’re not perfect,” he explains. “The more sensors a device has – like accelerometers, heart rate monitors or microphones for snoring – the better they become at measuring sleep and sleep problems. But none of them can tell you what your brain waves are doing, which is what we really measure in a sleep lab.”

Still, he believes these trackers could have a valuable future in public health. “Even if they’re not completely accurate at an individual level, they offer a big-picture view,” Professor Gordon says.

“We could use this data to understand population sleep trends, and guide health advice the same way we do with exercise or diet.”

THE DOWNSIDE

Professor Gordon warns that some users become overly fixated on the metrics, particularly those with insomnia or anxiety.

“We see people waking up, checking their watch, and freaking out that it says they only got six hours of sleep — even if they actually feel okay. That can make sleep worse.”

This “quantified self obsession" has even spawned a new term: orthosomnia — an unofficial diagnosis for sleep anxiety caused by over-reliance on sleep tracking technologies.

However, Professor Gordon sees a future where sleep trackers could be integrated into healthcare — but also possibly into insurance.

“There’s a scenario I can imagine,” he says. “Health or life insurers asking people to wear a device for a week to assess their risk. That data might one day influence your premium. We’re not there yet, but the groundwork is already being laid – there’s some early evidence that this is already happening.”

THE BRIGHT SIDE

Still, he remains cautiously optimistic.

“The technology itself isn’t brand new. What’s changed is the packaging and market. Devices that once needed hospital-grade sensors now fit on your finger (as a ring).”

Bottom line? Wearables aren’t going away — but users need to be savvy.

“These tools can offer insight,” Professor Gordon concludes. “But don’t forget the one of the most important sleep measures of all: how you actually feel when you wake up.”

Professor Gordon delved further into the pros and cons of sleep trackers in his Sleep Talk - Does my smartwatch really know my sleep patterns? – last week. The Sleep Talks series is hosted by the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Macquarie University. These free public events feature leading researchers, clinicians and educators exploring the latest evidence about sleep health, its impact on individuals and society, and why it's crucial for overall wellbeing.

Each month. Woolcock researchers will delve into different aspects of sleep. In the next talk, on 22 May, Dr Rick Wassing looks at the connection between sleep and mental health with his talk titled Is poor sleep making me feel bad?

Find out more

• Sleep and Circadian Research group
• Sleep Talk Series Registration