Available since 10/28/24 as a digital health application (DiGA), the therapy offers evidence-based content and techniques based on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Instead of counting sheep, “somnovia” creates an empathetic counterpart and guides patients through personalized content and exercises. As part of this virtual dialogue, “somnovia” actively involves patients in the therapeutic process. For example, users learn to follow an individually tailored sleep-wake rhythm, to deal with thoughts that prevent sleep, or to use relaxation techniques to get into a state that promotes falling asleep. All of this makes the new, digital sleep therapy a natural and sustainable treatment option – available anytime, anywhere.
Lack of sleep can have numerous effects on the body, especially the immune system, metabolism, cardiovascular system and brain. For example, sleep disorders increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. In addition, just one to two hours less sleep per night increases heart rate and blood pressure – a nervous system response to stress. In the long term, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases. Last but not least, when there is a lack of deep sleep, cognitive abilities also decline.