When a Bad Night Ruins Your Day
We’ve all been there…
You have a big day at work—a presentation to a potential client, meetings to lead, and a report to write. An energy-draining ten-hour day with few breaks.
But when you wake that morning, You feel exhausted. One bad night’s sleep set you up for a tough day.
We’ve all had mornings like this—dragging ourselves out of bed, knowing the day will demand more energy than we have to give.
Wouldn’t it be helpful to understand why your night was restless—and how to fix it?
Did you know there’s now a tool available on your iPhone called Sleep Score that can help you sleep better?
Would you like to know how Sleep Score can help you get a better night’s sleep? Read on …
What is Apple’s Sleep Score?
Apple’s new Sleep Score looks at how long you slept, how consistent your bedtime is, the quality of your sleep, and how often you woke up. It then gives you a score—from poor to excellent—plus a breakdown of your sleep stages.
Apple based the system on research from top sleep organizations and backed it with data from more than 5 million nights of sleep.
To use Sleep Score, you must wear your Apple Watch to bed. The sensors collect the data needed during the night.
Why Third-Party Trackers Fall Short
So how does Apple’s new sleep score compare with third-party sleep tracker apps, such as Sleep++?
I’ve tried other sleep apps, but they leaned heavily on heart rate and often gave me results that didn’t match how I actually felt.
More than once, I woke up energized while the app insisted I’d had a terrible night.
The use of heart rate in an app to gauge sleep quality does not have a strong scientific base. I note that Apple does not appear to use heart rate as a factor.
Perhaps for some people, heart rate during sleep does have a significant impact on sleep quality, but for me, it doesn’t.
My Experience: Apple vs. Popular Sleep Apps
Apple’s Sleep Score, in contrast to other sleep tracking apps, has consistently lined up with my real-world experience.
For instance, last night Apple gave me a Sleep Score of 95, an “excellent” rating. Sleep++ gave me a score precisely at the other end of the spectrum, an 8, indicating I had a horrible night’s sleep.
But I woke up this morning energized, rested, and ready to go to work. So, the Apple score was much closer to what I actually experienced. That’s been my consistent experience all this past week.
Quick Setup Guide for Better Sleep Insights
How do you access Apple Sleep Score?
• Update your iPhone to iOS 26. Go to the settings app, then select “General,” then “Software Update.” If there is a iOS 26update available, choose to download and install it.
• Wear an Apple Watch to bed. Any model from Series 6 or later will work.
• Check your score in the morning. Add Sleep Score to your Smart Stack for one-turn access with the digital crown.
See the step-by-step Apple guide to add the Sleep Score widget to your Smart Stack on your watch: See timely widgets in the Smart Stack on Apple Watch.
Turning Insights into Better Sleep
Better sleep leads to better days.
By paying attention to your Sleep Score and making small adjustments, you can reclaim energy and clarity.
Are you consistently going to bed too late and not getting enough sleep? Start getting ready earlier so you can go to bed on time.
Are you waking up for bathroom breaks during the night? Stop drinking liquids in the evening.
If the data shows patterns you can’t fix on your own (like sleep stages), it may be time to talk with a sleep specialist.
Either way, don’t settle for running on empty—rest well so you can live well.
AI Note: I wrote this blog post myself, using my own words and thoughts for the initial draft. I used AI only to suggest headlines, section headings, images, and text improvements.
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