The Zeo Personal Sleep Coach

The Zeo System Overview

Let me start out here by telling you a little about how the system works. The Zeo Personal Sleep Coach includes a clock/headband recharging receptacle. The headband has a soft fabric sensor attached to a small transmitter you put on each night before bedtime. The headband is very easy to adjust and very comfortable once adjusted properly. When you are ready to turn the lights off, set your alarm, take the headband off the charger and place it on your head making sure the sensor is on your forehead. You’ll see a little graphic showing it’s connected when you do and the stats will start running. Just fall asleep and Zeo does the rest.

Setting Up The Clock

The clock allows you to set a comforting soundtrack to awaken to ranging from easy music to environmental sounds. The clock took me about 15 minutes to get used to the controls and set everything up using their easy to follow guide. You can also set how bright you want the display. I keep ours at around 2 or 3 because the display can get very bright as you’ll read next. The alarm is very cool because it doesn’t just jar you out of bed. It starts off very quiet and the display stays dim. After the alarm is playing for I think 15 seconds it notches up in volume and brightness and repeats this pattern two more times until it’s at maximum for both. Even at full volume it won’t jar you because it’s not a buzzer or bell. You can hit snooze just like any other clock and it lets you set the snooze interval.

In The Morning

When you finally wake up, all you have to do is replace the headband into its cradle on top of the clock and make sure you see the charging graphic start. Then, Zeo will ask you to rate how you slept which you can do easily with the directional controls on the top of the clock. Once you’ve done that you’re ready to get on with your day. The system uses a SD memory card where it stores all of your sleep data. You need to upload that data to the MyZeo site either daily or weekly to get the sleep coaching which is the heart of the Zeo system in my opinion.

Getting A MyZeo Account

Getting a MyZeo account is easy. Just go to the MyZeo site at: http://mysleep.myzeo.com/ and sign up for an account. There is no cost to Zeo owners for this service and I think this is by far the best value point of the entire system. Yes, we haven’t even scratched the surface of the things the clock can show you at the touch of a button and it is very sophisticated. I just think all of that technology would go to waste without the top-flight coaching program to go along with it. All you need to set up a MyZeo account is the clock’s serial number. After that’s verified, you’re asked a few health questions and you’re ready to start uploading data to the system.

MyZeo Coaching

After you sign up you’ll start receiving emails telling you what to expect next and marking your progress. For me, this has been the most impressive part of this whole system. The sleep coaching emails help keep you on task and give you complete control over the plan. If you don’t have time to get your data uploaded you can pause the coaching. If you don’t complete steps in the time they’ve given you, the system will pause itself. All you then have to do is restart when you’re ready inside your MyZeo account. This way, you’re not being bombarded with emails that get out of synch with where you are or nag you incessantly. Very cool.

Coming Up Next

This series will follow me throughout the seven step coaching program. I’ll give you updates for each step of the program. The first step will be gathering the data for week one. The program uses weeks as a reference but that’s just for convention. The seven step program has no time limits. I’ll also be doing spotlight articles on areas of the system I think need more explanation. Like the controls on the clock, for instance.

Author’s Note

I would like to reiterate the Zeo Sleep system is not intended to replace a medical screening or device. Before you begin any program you should check with your doctor. If you feel you have a sleeping disorder, make sure to inform your doctor so you can get checked out by a professional.

I am using the Zeo system to tweak my sleep habits and increase the quantity and quality of the sleep I get each night. I do not have a sleep disorder and have had a recent physical examination.