Does TikTok Drive a Healthy Living Trend?

So which bedtime tips should you take and which should you abandon? Below, a sleep expert and mental health expert breaks down all the hype surrounding sleep maxing:

What is Sleepmaxxing?—and who creates all theseZZZs?

Sleepmaxxing is trending among women, many of whom are willing to share how they’ve mastered the art of sleep. Mayte Myers, creator of TikTok for example, he popularized the “morning shack” concept, in which he dramatically removes his satin sleep cap, night face mask, mouth tape, and chin mask to demonstrate his commitment to beauty sleep. But men are also a big part of this digital conversation. A college-age creative @shinyyy2.0He explained how to “sleep like a D1 athlete” with blue light glasses, nose strips, mouth tapes and 100% organic cotton sheets. Its purpose? “Optimal recovery and performance.”

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This current sleep craze reflects a greater emphasis on the importance of sleep to one’s health and is driven in part by widely available sleep tracking technology. This fad joins other cosmetic and health habits taken to the max: “healingmaxxing“”sunxxing,” And “beautymaxxing.”

However, like many TikTok sensations, most of the advice comes not from actual medical experts but from influencers (or more like “sleep streamers”), some of whom film their bedtime routines from their dorm rooms.

Is maximizing your sleep a good thing?

Like tried-and-true lifestyle advice, there are valuable elements to sleep maxxing. For example, maintaining a regular sleep and eating schedule has been proven to benefit your metabolism, immune system, and overall health, she says. Fariha Abbasi-FeinbergMD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and medical director of Sleep Medicine at Millennium Physician Group in Fort Myers, Florida.

A steady rest routine can help you stick to a regular wake-up time and get better quality sleep; This is beneficial for mental health. “Sleep maximizing strategies, such as minimizing phone use and organizing a relaxing meditation practice before bed, can help support a balanced mood, a realistic worldview, and strong emotional regulation skills,” she says. Lauren FarinaLCSW, licensed psychotherapist and performance coach based in Chicago.

Additionally, there are all kinds of breathing tips out there, but the point is that deep, mindful breathing can take stress down a peg so you can drift off. A popular technique you might want to try “box breath” a calming technique used by elite US Navy SEALs. “Just three minutes of breathwork before bed in the evening can help the body reach the state of relaxation necessary for quality sleep,” says Farina.

Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg endorses patients analyzing data from their smartwatches or fitness trackers to improve their sleep duration and quality. However, Dr. While trackers often track movement, oxygen levels and breathing patterns, they don’t tell the full story about sleep and can’t be relied on for 100 percent accuracy, Abbasi-Feinberg says.

Like any wellness trend, sleep maxxing can go too far in the wrong direction. This could lead to something very good “orthosomnia” an unhealthy obsession with getting perfect sleep; Being overly obsessed with getting eight hours can lead to anxious or compulsive behaviors, such as constantly monitoring your sleep and punishing yourself when you fall short. This may be especially true for people who are heavily invested in sleep tracking. “This can be a source of stress on the nervous system and therefore backfire on our efforts to promote healthy sleep,” adds Farina.

Which trends deserve a pause before diving in?

TikTok may inspire you to prioritize better sleep hygiene, but take some popular tips with a grain of salt. For example:

• Magnesium supplements or cocktails: There mixed research on the effectiveness of magnesium. Be sure to consult your doctor first to find the correct dosage and magnesium type for you.
• Mouth tape: taping one’s mouth Dr. If you’re experiencing congestion (there are no significant proven benefits for snoring or better breathing, let alone improving your jawline), says Abbasi-Feinberg. Dentists and medical professionals note It’s not for everyone and benefits vary.
• Going on a shopping spree: Sorry to disappoint, but it may not be the “perfect” pillow for a good night’s sleep. Many patients Dr. She comes to Abbasi-Feinberg’s office asking for the ideal pillow, mattress or sheet. There’s no data to show that a magic mattress or pillowcase can help you grow older or sleep like a baby. Instead, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg recommends creating a sleep routine with cozy items that are most comfortable for you.

As long as you follow the sleep tips recommended by experts, you can sleep the way you want. Bottom line: Sleepmaxxing strategies should be more like guidelines, not strict rules. Everyone’s body and sleeping habits are different. So turn on your sleep tracker and see what happens, but Dr. The key, Abbasi-Feinberg advises, is to assess how rested you feel on average, rather than obsessively scoring sleep hours. This is the true test of a sleepmaxxer.