A Conversation With the National Sleep Foundation’s CEO – Samsung Global Newsroom

“At National Sleep Foundation, we think technology can help make it easier for some people to do important things during the day and night so they can be their Best Slept Self^TM.”

– John Lopos, CEO, National Sleep Foundation

In today’s hectic world it is easy to lose yourself in all the details of life. While we understand the importance of sleep and how it can help us feel more relaxed, the endless to-do-lists can lead to increased stress.

This has been highlighted in a recent study from one of the world’s leading sleep organizations, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), finding that during the pandemic, more people in the US have been sleeping longer, but the quality of that sleep has suffered.

In fact, NSF thinks that one of the greatest challenges facing society is to prioritize sleep in order for us all to be healthy and happy. The NSF believes that embracing the ever-growing category of sleep technology will help. Smart environmental controls and smart tracking are just a few of the many innovations that have been made to improve the quality and experience of sleep for people. Sleep technology is coming to the industry forefront as consumer brands — like Samsung — are prioritizing sleep-related capabilities within their products.

To learn more about how technology can improve sleep quality, John Lopos (NSF CEO) was interviewed.

Managing Routines and Tracking Progress

According to the NSF’s 2022 Sleep in America^(r) Poll, there’s significant opportunity to improve daily activities that are associated with positive sleep and health outcomes. Eating your meals at a consistent time, the amount of physical activity completed in the day, and even the level of light exposure during the day and around bedtime, all impact sleep health and are manageable.

The NSF offers specific recommendations and guidelines for improving sleep quality. Lopos stated that technology can play a role in helping to meet the NSF’s recommendations. It helps us as a reminder, a facilitator, a communicator and a tracker, and can play a role in helping meet the NSF’s recommendations for better sleep — both while awake and asleep.”

Controlling Your Sleep Environment

The right light exposure can mean the difference between getting a restful night and one that isn’t. With nearly 60 percent of Americans saying they look at screens very often or somewhat often in the hour before bed or while in bed before sleep, it’s no wonder sleep quality is on the decline as light from phone, laptop and TV screens can significantly impact sleep.

And while technology can be the culprit when used inappropriately, like viewing screens too close to bedtime, it can also be part of the solution. “As people prepare for sleep, technology can help establish a sleep-friendly environment, help with a wind-down process that makes people feel more calm and relaxed, and then — and this is important — take its place in the background without disrupting a person’s sleep,” noted Lopos. A good example of this is the SmartThings functionality¹ which allows users to program a pre-set time to turn off the bedroom TV and turn down the lights as part of a bedtime routine to help prepare them to sleep and create better sleeping conditions throughout the night.

Adjusting Sleep Patterns

While sleep technology has long-term health benefits and can be a significant role in enhancing sleep quality, users can adjust their sleep habits to suit their needs. Daylight Savings Time, whether it is “springing forward”, or “falling back”, can make a big difference in your sleep. The NSF offers a variety of helpful tips to help you prepare. These include prioritizing daylight exposure and adjusting your clocks in the days leading up to the clock change. You can also adjust your sleeping schedule by going to bed an hour earlier every night. Relaxation techniques are encouraged by the NSF to ensure a restful night of sleep, even during time changes. The Galaxy Watch4 and the Samsung Health app can help with this by empowering users to manage their mindfulness through its breathing, meditation and stress monitoring capabilities. ²

Better Sleep Today and Tomorrow From Samsung

It’s with this understanding of the power of sleep technology that Samsung has introduced features on the Galaxy Watch4 that are empowering users to track and meet wellness goals and help users work toward a better night’s sleep.

For example, the new sleep coaching program on the Galaxy Watch4 helps users achieve better sleep habits and achieve their sleep goals. ² The Samsung program assigns one of eight sleep symbol animals representing the user’s sleep type after tracking sleep patterns over seven days and completing two related sleep surveys. Then, it guides users through a four-to-five-week coaching program that includes missions, checklists, guidance and reports to support users as they work towards improving their sleep health.

With wearable devices now a regular part of many people’s lifestyles today, tracking and understanding elements of sleep are more common than ever — and the NSF wants to see even more access to sleep technology, believing that the sleep technology industry is going to ride new waves of collaboration and knowledge sharing. “We’re going to see even more integration across wearable and connected devices, lifestyle and wellness platforms and home goods,” Lopos affirmed. “People’s choices and feedback will confirm there’s lots of room for products and services that use sleep technology.”

The future of sleep technology looks promising. Samsung has committed to further developing their offerings and capabilities in this area with the help of National Sleep Foundation’s sleep experts.

To learn more about the Galaxy Watch4 series or the National Sleep Foundation, please visit:

Galaxy Watch4: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch4

Galaxy Watch4 Classic: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch4-classic

National Sleep Foundation: www.thensf.org

¹ Availability of this feature may vary by device.

² Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or condition. The measurements are for the user’s personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.