Collected over a ten-year span, a comprehensive results’ analysis shows that Shuttle and International Space Station crew members have trouble falling asleep and typically do not get the full amount of sleep recommended for them each night.
Did you know that astronauts staying on board of the International Space Station see the sun rise and set every 90 minutes?
Sleep researchers found that, on average, space travelers get about 6 hours of sleep per night. That is an average of two hours less per day in space than on Earth. As a consequence, sleeping pills have become indispensable companions for any stay aboard the space station, even though the use of sleep-promoting medications only increases the sleep efficiency of shuttle crew members by about 1%.
The origin? The body’s biological rhythm no longer receives the essential signal for its own synchronization at the right time: light.
NASA researchers have developed a LED lighting system that is able to help astronauts maintain their natural biological rhythm and better manage their sleep cycle. The principle is to modulate the wavelength of light as a function of daytime and thus mimic the variations in sunlight.
And what works in the sky, works perfectly on earth. Especially when we spend 90% of our time indoors!
STATISTICS
- The Institute of Medicine released a report in 2006 stating that chronic sleep loss could lead to hypertension, diabetes, obesity.
- The average sleep duration has decreased by 18 minutes in last 25 years and even by one hour for teenagers.
- 50% of people consider their night not to be restful enough.
- 24 minutes is the average time spent awake during the night. And on average it takes 15 minutes to fall asleep.
- 30% of people declare suffering from insomnia. For 1/3 of them, it is about chronic insomnia.
- 15% of people between 25-45 years take sleep medication.
- The average sleep time during the week is 7:05. And 8:11 on weekends.
- 80% of people aged below 34 wake up with the alarm on their smartphone. That’s 65% of all people.
LIGHT IMPACT
Light is the primary stimulus for regulating circadian rhythms, seasonal cycles, and neuroendocrine responses in many species, including humans. Furthermore, clinical studies have demonstrated that light therapy is an effective treatment for selected affective disorders, sleep problems, and circadian disruptions.
The circadian cycle is specifically related to the secretion of melatonin, which is the sleep hormone. Many scientific studies have established a strong link between light (perceived via the retina and stimulating the pineal gland) and melatonin levels.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have proven that light has a major impact on the level of melatonin. They have proven that some kind of blue light – comprised between 450 and 470nm – led to a sharp concentration reduction, making the body more alert.
On the opposite, other wavelengths (notably red and purple) would favor the secretion of melatonin and ultimately lead to sleep.
SleepCompanion™
- The connected bulb that improves sleep.
- SleepCompanion™ is the easiest way to improve sleep.
- SleepCompanion™ is the successful combination of a specifically engineered light bulb and a mobile application.
This LED bulb looks like a normal bulb. Simply replace the traditional bulb in a bedside lamp to start the journey with SleepCompanion™.
To emit the perfect light waves at the right moment of the day (in the evening and in the morning), this exclusive bulb combines 20 different light sources to produce the precise light waves that the body needs.
Fall faster into a restful sleep. Wake up full of energy the next morning. 100% naturally.
20 minutes before the alarm rings, a soft light appears. It starts with a very low intensity (lower than a candle), and then increases gradually to prepare the body to a natural awakening.
Different LEDs are combined to generate a specific type of blue light (465 nanometers of wavelength) to quickly decrease the level of melatonin in the body.
When the wake-up music starts, the body is already 100% ready for a beautiful day.
SleepCompanion™ can be adjusted up to 3 different alarms according to the days of the week, and the application can control multiple SleepCompanion™.
SleepCompanionTM adapts the light depending on the time of the day to re-synchronize the user’s biological clock.
SleepCompanionTM combines different kind of LEDs to increase the melatonin level in the blood by emitting a reddish light – free of Melatonin – inhibiting wavelengths that keep you awake.
Still awake? Stressed?
Its exclusive relaxation program, guided by the light, helps to let go and forget the worries of the day.
The objective is to synchronize the breathing rhythm with the light emitted by the SleepCompanionTM light bulb. In 7 minutes, the relaxation program can greatly slow the breathing rate (15 to 7 cycles per minute), helping to fall asleep.
SleepCompanionTM Measuring and understanding
SleepCompanionTM measures the duration, sleep quality and bedroom environment on a daily basis. It allows the user to visualize his evolution, set goals and be aware of possible sleep debt.
By utilizing the sensors in the bulb and in the Smartphone, SleepCompanionTM can analyze factors that could disrupt sleep (temperature, noise, brightness) and give insight about good habits to improve quantity and quality of sleep .
To go further and accurately understand the factors that impact the sleep quality, SleepCompanionTM collects data from a selection of the leading connected devices available on the market:
Whether connected to environmental sensors (Netatmo weather station, Nest thermostat) or activity trackers (Withings, Jawbone, Fitbit), the data is processed by powerful algorithms to provide the most personalized possible advices (available Q3 2015).
SleepCompanionTM is the first cross platform offering a 360° view on sleep management. Because it’s time to shed light upon the sleep!