SFU prof’s mySleepButton app uses cognitive science to make you sleepy

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      Having trouble falling asleep? A Simon Fraser University adjunct professor of education has created just the app for you.

      It's called mySleepButton, and it's a free download in the iTunes Store. What you do is push the "Put Me to Sleep" button, close your eyes, and imagine whatever the iOS app says.

      For instance, I chose the "Simple Things" setting, and the app told me to picture a taxi, waffle, pig, beach, reindeer, paper clip, hockey stick, thermometer, zzzzzz. (Just kidding about the last part; I'm still awake.)

      According to SFU's Luc Beaudoin, founder of CogSci Apps Corp., the app uses cognitive science concepts to help induce sleep. The app encourages "somnolent mentation" (thinking and feeling that helps you fall asleep) and counters "insomnolent mentation" (that which discourages sleep).

      I'm totally going to try mySleepButton out tonight. If you give it a shot, let us know if works for you.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Jan MacKenzie

      May 11, 2014 at 10:06pm

      I occasionally suffer from insomnia but not since I started using this app. It really works. I'm amazed how easy it is to fall asleep in 5 to 10 minutes. Love it!

      rithika

      May 12, 2014 at 8:43am

      does this only work ipod iphone and ipad

      Onlsow

      May 12, 2014 at 9:17am

      Are us Android users meant to stay up all night?

      Joey

      May 19, 2014 at 10:46am

      I've been a life long insomniac and usually takes me at least 30-45 min to go to sleep. I've been using the app the last 7 nights and I've been able sleep in 10 minutes. It's been amazing ! I've also noticed my sleeps have been deeper with more vivid dreams.
      My only gripe:
      The computer voice can be jarring and I hope they replace with a real human voice (recorded)

      Kevin

      May 22, 2014 at 3:15pm

      I have a 5th generation Ipod touch. I would gladly pay for a version of this that is compatible with my Ipod.

      Shelley M

      Jun 3, 2014 at 10:24pm

      This app is really amazing. Works like a charm. I agree with the comment that the computer voice is a little irritating (but not insurmountable). We emailed the developers using the contact link and they said that they are looking at a new more human voice in a later update. Overall, works as advertised and I'm happy (and free).