If you’ve headed over to TikTok recently you would have seen that it is awash with videos on sleepmaxxing. But what is sleepmaxxing? Sleepmaxxing is the viral TikTok term for sleep optimisation using a range of products and routines. As well as improving sleep, some TikTokers also include overnight beauty routines, taking the idea of beauty sleep to a whole new level! This includes eye patches, hair wraps and collagen masks.
Why Sleep is Crucial for Your Physical and Mental Wellbeing
Sleep is not a luxury, it’s an absolute necessity for our physical and mental wellbeing. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we often fail to realise the importance of a good night's sleep. It is during the hours of rest that our bodies boost our
The Science Behind Sleepmaxxing: How It Works and Its Benefits
Health professionals warn that although some aspects of the viral trend may help improve sleep quality, others could pose health risks.
Mouth Taping
Using mouth tape promotes breathing through the nose by gently keeping the mouth closed while sleeping. It has gained a cult following in the last couple of years due to the growing interest in breathwork. On a single day we take 25,000 breaths and mouth breathing can push us into a fight or flight state. Although there is limited scientific evidence on the benefits of mouth taping, I sceptically tried it last year and was surprised by the results. Read my blog about mouth taping for more information as there are some very real dangers for people that suffer with sleep apnea, so if in doubt it should be avoided.
Complete blackout sleep mask
This is a sleepmaxxing hack we can completely vouch for! Our Bamboo Eye Masks are loved by men and women alike, with 5-star ratings and a raft of amazing reviews. Darkness prepares your body for sleep so our luxury organic, 100% light blocking eye mask is the ultimate sleep accessory to help you wake up refreshed after an uninterrupted night's sleep. Customers rave about the cloudlike bamboo padding, large design to block out all light and the soft, wide head band. Unlike the more complex sleepmaxxing sleep aids there is no ongoing cost after the initial purchase, it’s completely portable, great for travel and is a joy to use.
Chin Strap
Perhaps the least glamourous sleepmaxxing item favoured by TikTok is the neoprene chin strap. The strap physically holds the mouth shut to reduce air expelled through the mouth and encourage nasal breathing. It is also claimed that they can reduce double chins, unfortunately on both counts they appear to fall short, with scientific studies showing now significant benefits.
Sleepy Girl Mocktail
The trending drink consists of magnesium powder, tart cherry juice, and a probiotic sparkling drink. Low levels of magnesium have been linked to poor sleep, so a supplement may help, although magnesium is found in foods like nuts, leafy greens, wholegrains, soy products and dairy, which also contain other beneficial vitamins and minerals. Tart cherry juice has been added to the mix because of its high levels of melatonin and tryptophan. Although only small studies have been carried out on the benefits, there has been some positive anecdotal evidence. Apart from the downside of needing to get up for the toilet in the night after drinking a large fizzy drink, the Sleepy Girl Mocktail seems fairly harmless, with some possible benefits. However if you’d rather not be trawling the shops for tart cherry juice, we’d recommend a relaxing caffeine free tea such as our relaxing tea. The warm drink and fruity aroma will help to unwind your mind and body.
Practical Tips and Techniques for Effective Sleepmaxxing at Home
There has been much focus on sleep wearables, however sleep hygiene plays a significant role in helping you drift off at night. When sleepmaxxing your home, use smart storage solutions such as underbed boxes to tidy away visual clutter in the bedroom and create a sanctuary like feel with colours and furnishings that you find restful. Opt for bamboo bed sheets that are soft and smooth against the skin, as well as heat regulating to avoid skin irritation and overheating. Keep the light low key and muted, side lamps create a better ambience than overhead spotlights. And don’t forget fragrance, essential oils are a great way to unwind. Our soy wax sleep candles contain a sleep inducing essential oil blend of lavender, calming chamomile, restorative clary sage, combined with comforting geranium and balancing bergamot. Burn for a short time before bed to fill your room with slumber evoking scents.
What Is Sleepmaxxing: The Verdict
Now we know the answer to the question of what is sleepmaxxing, and it’s great that everyone is talking about sleep and looking at ways to improve it, however many of the ideas featured in sleepmaxxing are time consuming, uncomfortable, expensive and unproven to actually work. Creating such a strict sleep routine that needs to be followed also creates stress and stress is major sleep disruptor in itself! Our advice is, make your bedroom a place you want to relax in, follow a simple sleep routine such full of sleep solutions such as journalling your worries with a cup of caffeine free tea, grabbing the best sleep eye mask and going to bed at the same time every night.