Sleep fragmentation can be caused by many factors, internal and external. What makes this mystery even harder to solve is that we often do not remember the factors that disturb sleep in the middle of the night.

Some common External Sleep Stealers:

• Erratic noise from traffic, barking dogs, or even the sound of the ice maker in the kitchen.
• Restless sleep partners who also do not get good sleep.
• Room temperature either too hot or too cold.
• Room has light pollution even at night.

Some common Internal Sleep Stealers:

• Indigestion
• Diabetes, causing need for frequent urination
• Anxiety about work, finances, or relationships
• Too much caffeine in the diet, or drinking alcohol before bed
• Habit of watching TV or on the computer right before bed

You can also find more information about common (and uncommon) Sleep Stealers here.

When using a diary or journall in conjuction with Zeo, you now add an additional layer of helpful information for unravelling your own Sleep Stealer mystery. If you make use of the online Sleep Journal, this information syncs with your sleep data to help you figure out which possible factor is disturbing your rest and leaving you feeling groggy everyday.

Ruling out Sleep Disorders

Finally, fragmented sleep can be caused by an undiagnosed sleep disorder, such as restless legs syndrome, insomnia, or sleep apnea. All three of these conditions can cause multiple awakenings that may or may not be remembered, preventing the body from getting enough restorative sleep. Make an appointment with a sleep professional if you think you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

Bonus:  Modern gadgets make it easier to collect information without necessarily needing to spend a night in a sleep lab.

If you have additional symptoms such as recent memory problems, or awakenings at night from extremely loud snoring (or if your bed partner complains of loud snoring), you may want to speak to a specialist about your risk for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea awakenings can be very short, and they are not always accurately recorded by Zeo.