Q: Ask Fitbit: I'm Not Getting Bedtime Reminders or Sleep Stages? Is My Tracker Broken?

ANSWER: Not necessarily. In fact, it's likely that failing to get Bedtime Reminders and/or Sleep Stages is actually a 'smart' response. Here's why, feature by feature.

Bedtime Reminder

The logic behind using a bedtime reminder is simple: It's an easy way to remember when you should start winding down for bed, which can help you maintain a consistentsleep schedule. (If you're not already using this feature, here'show to set a Bedtime Reminder.)

When a Bedtime Reminder is set, you'll receive a push notification on your smartphone at the time indicated (experts recommend setting it for at least 30 minutes before you want to fall asleep).Fitbit Alta HRandFitbit Charge 2users will also receive a notification and gentle buzz on their trackers.

However, if you've been sedentary for around 30 minutes or more leading up to the scheduled reminder (maybe you're lying down and reading a book or watching TV), and your tracker thinks there's a good chance you're already be asleep, it will disable the reminder to avoid waking you up.

If you've confirmed that you have a Bedtime Reminder set and continue to have problems getting notifications despite being active before bed, pleasecontact customer service.

Sleep Stages

Fitbit trackers withPurePulsecontinuous heart rate monitoring have the ability to tell you how much time you spent awake and in light, deep, and REM sleep each night. However there are four scenarios in which your app will show you classic sleep stats instead, usually accompanied by an error message like the one below.

  • You slept in a position that impaired your tracker's ability to get a consistent heart-rate reading or you wore your tracker too loosely. Ideally, your tracker should sit higher on your wrist, about two to three finger widths above your wrist bone. And the band should fit securely, but not so tight that it restricts blood flow.
  • You used the Begin Sleep Now option in the Fitbit app instead of simply wearing your tracker to bed.
  • You took a nap or slept for less than three hours.
  • Your tracker's battery is critically low. (Learnhow to improve your tracker's battery life.)

If you correct for the issues above and still aren't seeing Sleep Stages, pleasecontact customer service.

Related Articles:
5 Reasons You Might Be a Restless Sleeper
How Much Sleep do Fitbit Users Really Get? A New Study Finds Out
Getting More Sleep Can Help You Be An All-Star At Work

This article is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.

Danielle Kosecki

Fitbit news editor Danielle Kosecki is an award-winning journalist who has covered health and fitness for more than 10 years. She's written for Glamour, More, Prevention, and Bicycling magazines, among others, and is the editor of The Bicycling Big Book of Training. A New York native, Danielle now lives in the Bay Area where she doesn't miss winter at all.

Fitbit Inc. published this content on 15 September 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 15 September 2017 17:33:08 UTC.

Original documenthttps://blog.fitbit.com/fitbit-sleep/

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