Just a few years ago, having your sleep cycle monitored was an invasive process. It meant being hooked up to machines and sleeping – or trying to – in a very public setting. Doctors or specialists were present, and patients were expected to rest as normal. After all, that's the best way to gain accurate results. While it sounds virtually impossible to find rest this way, it was also the most researched setup at the time. And in many cases, these same methods are still used today.

However, with new technology, sleep can be tracked in a much more discreet and less invasive manner. You can even do it yourself, in the comfort of your own home.

Fitness trackers strap directly to your wrist and let you know how many hours you sleep, how often you woke up throughout the night, etc. And because you're used to wearing the device during the day, chances are you won't be in your own head about what's keeping track of how you sleep.

Or, take tracking to the next level and consider an accessory made strictly for logging sleep. Interactive mattress pads, which are new to the tech market, are made to report your nightly routine, and to improve how you sleep. Nightly data is sent directly to your smartphone, while providing tips on how to get the most rest possible. This is done by comparing patterns and rest quality over time.

How it Works

These mattress pads are full of data grabbing technology that can detect when you move, breathing patterns, how many hours of rest are obtained, etc. As you sleep, this information is logged wirelessly and compiled into easy-to-read formats. Then it's sent to your phone where you can view personalized details. Next, the program will compare and contrast different nights and recommend changes to help you sleep better, deeper, and longer. (Or whatever your sleeping goal might be.)

This method has been developed through advancing technologies, as well as a need for sleep tracking improvements. With the comfort of one's own home and a lack of wires, users can gain deeper, more accurate rest while they are being monitored. Which, in turn, gives better data. And because the device can be used every single night, if desired, there is more information to pull from. You're not working off a night or two's information (filled with stressful sleep), instead you're able to follow averages taken from months of customized sleep cycles.

Who Should Use Them?

These mattress pads are a great option for anyone suffering from a sleep disorder. As well as anyone looking to better understand how they rest. Use suggested steps for a better way to gain sleep, or simply check in to ensure you're getting efficient rest as often as possible. Tracking your own sleep can also let you know when it might be time to talk to a professional.

Are There Downsides?

Aside from the fee (trackers range greatly in prices), there might not actually be a downside to tracking your own sleep. Because they are designed to add comfort, not take it away, in theory, sleep monitors should actually allow for a cushier bed surface. As a positive, you gain access to data and can earn sleeping tips, and on the downside, you simply leave it alone. No harm, no foul.

If you're ready to take control of your nighttime habits and patterns, consider the addition of sleep-tracking tech. These devices offer an accurate way to understand how you rest at night, and how you can easily gain better sleep over time.