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Tom's Guide
03-08-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Tracking your sleep could lead to better grades — 5 budget-friendly trackers to shop now
Like it or not, routine is what your body needs to get a good night's sleep night after night. Yet, understandably, as your social life and academic pressures ramp up at college, bedtimes and wake-up times can go a little haywire. I've always been aware of the link between sleep and learning. So sleep was something I prioritized (as best as I could) at college. After recently graduating, I can honestly say maintaining a consistent sleep schedule was the one habit that made sure I rested well and bagged good grades, all while juggling a social life too. So, how can you make sure you're keeping it on track as best as you can? With a reliable sleep tracker. Of course, there are plenty of products you can shop in back to school sleep sales, from the best cheap dorm mattresses to cosy bedding. But if you're looking for a gadget to hold yourself accountable around going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, a sleep tracker should be on your shopping list. Yes, top of the range sleep trackers can be pricey gadgets. But I've shopped around to find you the best budget options available right now. Science shows a link between sleep regularity (i.e. going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day), improved brain function and better wellbeing among college students. Research by associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, Dr. Shelley Hershner, specifically found students with greater sleep consistency have better academic performance. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Meanwhile, a 2019 study published in the Sleep Research Society journal agrees that stabilizing sleep schedules can help improve well-being among students. This is because a consistent sleep schedule helps to regulate your circadian rhythm, so your body gets used to releasing sleepy hormones like melatonin at the right times of day. In turn, it's easier to fall asleep fast at night, bag quality sleep and wake up with energy for class in the morning. So, you know going to sleep on time will help your studies and overall health. But without your mom there to tell you it's time for lights out, strict bedtimes can easily become a thing of the past. This is where a sleep tracker can come in handy at college. I tracked my sleep with my Garmin watch through college and have recently experimented with a wider range of trackers including Oura, Whoop and Eight Sleep in my role as a sleep tech tester. While they all vary in the detail they go in to, even the most basic sleep tracker will deliver two key metrics — the time you fall asleep and the time you wake up. These alone can help you cement the healthy sleep habit of going to bed and waking on time. Trust me, notifications from your friendly sleep tracker telling you it's time to sleep somehow guilt trip you into halting the doom scroll and hitting the hay on time. With a student budget in mind, these are the top 5 sleep trackers I recommend shopping before the semester starts... 1. Fitbit Inspire 3: was $99.95 now $79.95 at WalmartThe Fitbit Inspire 3 is a top-rated, affordable health tracker that does a grand job of tracking basic sleep metrics like sleep timing and duration. Though you can get more in-depth sleep tracking from Fitbit if you're willing to get behind the Fitbit Premium paywall (it'll set you back $9.99/month). As a small smart watch, the Inspire 3 sits comfortably on your wrist overnight and packs 7+ days battery life. 2. Amazfit Heilo Strap: now $99.99 at AmazonFrom the Amazfit Active smart watch to the Amazfit Heilo ring, we're big fans of Amazfit health trackers here at Tom's Guide. The brand is known for producing affordable versions of industry-leading trackers and the Heilo Strap is essentially their take on the Whoop band. At $99.99 without a subscription fee, it is a great value health and recovery tracker that monitors heart rate, blood-oxygen, stress, and sleep. 3. Oura Ring 3: was from $299 now from $199 at OuraStylish and intricate when it comes to its sleep reports, the Oura Ring 3 is my favorite sleep tracker. Yet, requiring a subscription fee at $5.99 per month, it's the more premium option here - one for the students looking to seriously invest in their sleep health. That said, there's currently $100 off the Oura Ring 3 while stocks last. Plus, I've tested the Oura Ring 3 alongside the new and upgraded Oura Ring 4 and think you're getting better value for money with the previous generation — it's perfectly functional and studies show it is reliable too. 4. Milavan Smart Ring: was $59.99 now $49.99 at AmazonOf course, the Oura Ring is the gold-standard sleep tracking ring, but at $200+ and requiring a monthly subscription fee, it's not the most student budget-friendly. The Milavan is a more affordable alternative that monitors your sleep quality and recommends habits for improving your sleep health. It's rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by Amazon customers who say it's "surprisingly smart". With $10 off now it's even more affordable. 5. Withings Sleep Analyzer: was $159.99 now $151.99 at AmazonIf you'd prefer to snooze wearable-free, an under mattress sleep tracker is a great option for you. The Withings sleep tracking pad slips under your mattress and keeps tabs on everything from your sleep stages to sleep duration and snoring. Our Certified Sleep Science Coach and Senior Sleep Editor Claire Davies says Withings is about as close to an at-home polysomnography test as you can get - pretty cool, huh? With 5% off at Amazon now you can get it for the slightly cheaper price of $151.99 (down from $159.99). It's another more expensive option, but a worthy investment in your sleep health and overall wellbeing.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Arpita Khan and Aayush Sharma live in separate rooms: Experts reveal what it really means for your relationship
Sleeping in one bed while snuggling under a blanket with your partner or sharing the same space with them is often considered a sign of a flourishing relationship. However, many couples are realising that taking a break from your significant other and creating a private space for yourself is a significant factor for a healthy relationship. In fact, celebrity couple, actor Aayush Sharma and his wife, Arpita Khan, also practice this lifestyle choice. Also Read | This married couple sleeps separately in bunk beds for healthy relationship: 'Sleeping apart works best' In a month-old interview with Farah Khan, posted on YouTube on April 25, Arpita and Aayush gave a home tour of their lavish residence. The actor also revealed that he and Arpita have separate rooms in the house. While he has a private room, Arpita and their son, Ahil, share a bedroom. So, what do experts and data have to say on this particular arrangement that is becoming quite popular among couples? Dr Tammy Nelson, sex and relationship expert, told HT Lifestyle that at first glance, separate bedrooms or beds may seem like a wedge in the relationship, but it can also be healthy. 'Sleeping apart doesn't mean you have to grow apart. Choosing separate beds or having separate bedrooms can be a healthy choice for both of you,' Dr Tammy explained. 'Sleeping separately might mean you get better sleep, feel less resentment toward the partner who snores or is an insomniac, and can reduce frustration in the middle of the night. Sleeping well on your own is not necessarily a sign of emotional disconnection; it might mean you are taking care of yourself. Rest is foundational to mental health, and well-rested partners may be capable of more positive communication, which could improve intimacy,' they further explained. Lately, the separate sleeping arrangement has led to a rise in the sleep divorce trend among couples. According to experts, 'sleep divorce' can improve sleep quality and emerge as a practical approach for couples who struggle with incompatible sleep patterns, disruptive habits, or differing schedules or sleep needs. Dr Chandni Tugnait, MD (Alternative Medicine), psychotherapist, life coach, told HT Lifestyle, 'Sleep divorce involves creating physical boundaries to prioritise individual sleep needs while maintaining the relationship. Sleeping apart was traditionally stigmatised and associated with marital issues or failing relationships. However, the stigma is slowly dissipating as more couples embrace the notion that quality sleep is essential for overall well-being.' Moreover, an American Academy of Sleep Medicine study from 2023 found 35 percent of 2,005 adults surveyed sleep in another room 'on occasion' or consistently to accommodate a bed partner – almost half (43 percent) of millennials do so. 20 percent of respondents reported sleeping in another room on occasion, while 15 percent said they did it consistently. A public education brief released by the Sleep Research Society said, 'Research indicates that up to 30 percent of an individual's sleep quality (or lack thereof) is influenced by their partner's sleep.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
