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As a journalist who does shift work – I’m obsessed with sleep.
I don’t get enough of it, and it’s pretty irregular when I do.
And so, when my Apple Watch informs me I’ve had more than 8 hours – with solid REM metrics – everyone will know about it.
‘Sleepmaxxing’ is a concept I came across on TikTok – it describes viral hacks to optimise your sleep, from drinking magnesium-laced ‘Sleepy Girl’ mocktails to sleeping with your mouth taped.
It’s a trending topic – with millions of videos on it.
But what is ‘sleepmaxxing’, and does it work?
‘A cornerstone of wellness’
‘Sleepmaxxing’ is a viral TikTok trend. Pic: iStock
The catch-all term is a wellness trend popular with Gen-Z and millennials – a perceived blueprint to help you catch a deeper, longer slumber.
It’s a nod to ‘looksmaxxing’ – another TikTok trend popularised on the app, focused on enhancing physical attractiveness.
Sleep specialist Sammy Margo told Sky News it’s a fad among those “who are increasingly prioritising sleep as a cornerstone of wellness”.
Ms Margo said: “It typically involves creating elaborate bedtime routines, investing in sleep accessories, and tracking sleep metrics.”
However, sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley is unimpressed – and says the practice is an unhealthy “obsession” that can often be counter-productive.
He told Sky News: “The worry about getting good sleep actually makes sleep worse.
“It is being done by people who sadly believe that things on TikTok have any resemblance to actual science.”
What are the sleep trends?
According to the NHS, better sleep can be obtained through better diet and exercise, meditation and mindfulness.
However, for Gen-Z et al, it’s a slightly more complicated – and creative – picture.
Trends include tech-free winddown-down periods an hour before…
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