TikTok's Sleepmaxxing: A New Approach to Better Sleep

A growing TikTok trend known as "sleepmaxxing" has captured the attention of young adults seeking to enhance their sleep quality. This movement emphasizes optimizing both the duration and the quality of sleep through various techniques, routines, and devices. However, healthcare experts question the effectiveness of this trend’s methods for achieving true sleep quality. 

Sleepmaxxing involves a range of practices aimed at achieving more restful and deeper sleep. Among the strategies being employed are distinctive lifestyle modifications. For example, some individuals have turned to "sleepy girl mocktails," beverages made from seltzer water, tart cherry juice, and magnesium powder, in an effort to promote relaxation before bedtime, as reported by the New York Post. Others are experimenting with more unconventional methods, such as taping their mouths shut to prevent snoring, a tactic purported to enhance sleep quality.

Additionally, TikTok is capitalizing on this trend by increasingly featuring recommendations for supplementary tools, such as chin straps and weighted sleep masks, which advocates claim improve sleep quality. This trend also encompasses various devices designed to improve sleep metrics, including the Oura Ring, which recently released its fourth version, offering more precise health data, as reported by MBN. 

However, healthcare experts caution that while the pursuit of better sleep is commendable, some of these methods may not produce the desired results. An overemphasis on achieving optimal sleep can lead to heightened anxiety about the very process of sleeping, potentially increasing the risk of insomnia,  Jag Sunderram, Sleep Specialist, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School told verywellhealth.

On the other hand, the sleepmaxxing trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward prioritizing health and well-being. “By prioritizing sleep, more people are making choices that allow them better rest. This change is especially important today in our fast-paced lives, where self-care and balance are important for staying healthy,” says Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor, Sleepopolis to Healthline.

Sleep has a role in facilitating physical healing, aiding recovery from illnesses, managing stress, problem-solving, memory consolidation, and enhancing motor skills. However, 35% of individuals believe they do not attain sufficient sleep, affecting their overall physical and mental well-being, according to the World Sleep Society.  In Mexico, about 45% of adults encounter subpar sleep quality, leading to challenges in waking up, persistent drowsiness and fatigue during the initial morning hours, as reported by Mexico’s Ministry of Health.

To optimize sleep quality, Mayo Clinic recommends maintaining a steady sleep schedule, dedicating approximately seven to eight hours for sleep and adhering to a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine every day.