In recent years, more and more people have started using sleep tracking apps to understand how well they rest at night.
These apps are often connected to smartwatches or phones and promise to measure how long you sleep, how quickly you fall asleep, and even how “deep” or “restful” your sleep is.
As interest in health and wellness grows, sleep has become a major focus, and many people hope that tracking their sleep can help them feel better and more energized.
However, a new study from researchers in Norway suggests that sleep apps may not always be helpful. In some cases, they might even make sleep worse, especially for people who already struggle with insomnia.
The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology and raise important questions about how we use technology to monitor our health.
The research was led by scientists from the University of Bergen, including Håkon Lundekvam Berge and Karl Erik Lundekvam. The team wanted to understand how people actually feel when they use sleep apps and whether these tools improve or harm sleep.
To do this, they surveyed 1,002 adults living in Norway. Participants were asked whether they had used sleep apps, how they felt about their sleep, and whether the apps had any positive or negative effects on them. The researchers also looked at differences between age groups and people with different sleep conditions.
The results showed that sleep apps are already widely used. About 46 percent of participants said they were currently using or had used a sleep app in the past. Women and people under the age of 50 were more likely to use these apps compared to men and older adults.
Many users reported some benefits. About 15 percent said that sleep apps helped improve their sleep. Nearly half of the participants said the biggest advantage was that they learned more about their sleep patterns. For some people, this awareness may encourage healthier habits, such as going to bed earlier or reducing screen time before sleep.
However, the study also found some downsides. Around 17 percent of users said the apps made them worry more about their sleep. Although only a small percentage, about 2.3 percent, reported worse sleep overall, this still suggests that the apps can have negative effects for some individuals.
The impact was not the same for everyone. Younger adults reported stronger reactions to the apps, both positive and negative. This may be because younger people are more engaged with technology and more likely to pay close attention to the data provided.
Most importantly, people who already had insomnia symptoms were more likely to experience negative effects. For these individuals, seeing detailed sleep data could increase anxiety and stress. Instead of helping them relax, the apps may make them focus too much on their sleep quality, which can actually make it harder to fall asleep.
This idea is supported by a growing concept known as “orthosomnia.” This term describes a situation where people become so focused on achieving perfect sleep scores that they develop anxiety about their sleep. As a result, their sleep may become worse rather than better.
The researchers also pointed out that sleep apps are still relatively new, and their accuracy is not fully understood. Many apps estimate sleep stages based on movement or heart rate, but these methods may not be as reliable as medical sleep studies. This means the information users receive may not always reflect their true sleep quality.
There are also some limitations to the study. The data was based on self-reports, which means people may not always remember or describe their experiences accurately. In addition, the participants volunteered to take part in research, so they may already have had a strong interest in sleep, which could influence the results.
Despite these limitations, the study offers important insights. It shows that while sleep apps can be helpful for some people, they are not suitable for everyone. In particular, people who feel stressed or anxious about their sleep may need to be careful when using these tools.
The researchers suggest that users should not rely too heavily on sleep data. Instead, it is important to listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel during the day. If using a sleep app causes worry, it may be better to turn off notifications or stop using it at night.
Simple habits can often be more helpful than tracking data. Going to bed when you feel sleepy, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and reducing screen time before bed are all effective ways to improve sleep.
In conclusion, sleep apps can be useful tools, but they are not a perfect solution. For some people, especially those with insomnia, they may do more harm than good. This study highlights the importance of using technology wisely and focusing on healthy habits rather than chasing perfect sleep scores.
If you care about sleep health, please read studies about foods that help people sleep better, and Keto diet could improve cognitive function in people with sleep loss.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the natural supplements for sound sleep, and how your diet can improve sleep quality.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
