If there's one thing we try to do as a society, it's make our lives better whenever we can. Over the past few years, we've traded our doomscrolling and Sunday binge-watching marathons for using tricks like step counting and cognitive shuffling to get the best sleep possible. Although becoming a world obsessed with our well-being isn't necessarily a bad thing, the quest for perfect health does have some downsides.
For example, sleep better. A new TikTok trend known as “Sleepmaxxing” is pushing people to optimize their sleep as best they can by focusing not only on the amount of sleep they get, but also on the quality of said sleep. While seeking good sleep is wise, experts warn against some of the tips and tricks shared online.
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What is Sleepmaxxing?
Simply put, sleepmaxxing is an umbrella term that people on TikTok use to refer to the practice of improving sleep. It involves the use of various techniques and tricks that promise a perfect night's sleep. It may also include a nightly routine that includes things like turning off overhead lights a few hours before bed, avoiding screen use an hour before sleep, and chugging in caffeine at least eight hours before hitting the hay. This trending hack can also utilize a variety of tools and products to improve your sleep, such as sleep masks and melatonin.
Benefits of Sleepmaxxing
No one tells you that sleeping more is bad, especially in a society that prides itself on phrases like “I'll sleep when I die.” Study after study has proven that getting enough sleep is key to fending off viruses like colds, improving mental health, increasing concentration, and more.
“Personally, I think it's a really good thing to have sleep trends like this. It means that people are thinking about their sleep, prioritizing their sleep, often when we don't spend enough time sleeping in our day, and sleep scientist Dr. Vanessa Hill said in an interview with CBS News, “Bedtime “We're procrastinating our time,” he said. “So overall I think it's good.”
Related: Prepare Your Mind and Body for Sleep with These Nightly Exercise Rituals
What are the Disadvantages of Sleepmaxxing?
In the pursuit of health, we can all get a little lost along the way. Whether you're obsessed with your fitness tracker or following a 10-step nightly routine, it can be easy to get carried away.
Experts have pointed out the downsides of focusing on promoting the benefits of sleep to the point of obsession. In this case, you may be getting back the positive effects you're looking for with your maximum sleep routine. Sometimes, even if we're not in the best shape sleep-wise, it's better to step back and give ourselves a break.
“Sometimes when people are too perfectionistic about their sleep, that can backfire,” Hill said. “Perfect is often the enemy of the good, and in that case, if people are stressed about it, if it causes them more anxiety…trying to do too much at once, then it might make sense to take it all in.” give the clues some doubt and step back and do what's best for you.”