Sleep

TIKTOK VIDEOS THAT GO VIRAL launch trends, cultural catchphrases and even sell out products within hours or minutes. One of the latest hot topics on the social media platform is “sleepmaxxing,” a catchall term for the pursuit of perfect sleep.

Dr. Sheeta Shah, general practitioner and sleep adviser for Panda London, a London-based mattress and sleep accessories company, defined sleepmaxxing in a Glamour article as: “the practice of optimizing one’s sleep as much as possible, often by focusing on improving both the quantity and quality of sleep. It involves utilizing various techniques, routines and gadgets to ensure more restful, deeper and prolonged sleep.”

For sleepmaxxers, pursuing the perfect night’s sleep means using everything from weighted blankets to sleep aids to sleep hygiene routines. Trending videos within the category include “morning sheds,” where users record themselves removing all of the products they wore the night before, like mouth tape, jaw straps and collagen masks. Other videos under the umbrella of sleepmaxxing include recipes for sleep-promoting mocktails with ingredients such as tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and prebiotic soda.

So, does it work? In the article, Shah says that while people pursuing high-quality sleep is fantastic, it’s unverified whether the intense routines actually lead to improved sleep. On the downside, it could cause some people to obsess over sleep or have anxiety if they feel it isn’t working. Overall, however, it’s a net positive that sleep is in the spotlight — something that everyone can benefit from.