Here’s what it is and how it works

In a quest for better shut-eye, desperate youngsters are leading a new trend to maximize their sleep.

According to a Gallup poll released earlier this year, only a quarter of Americans are getting the recommended eight hours of rest a night.

Now, Zoomers have invented “sleepmaxxing” — and it’s all over TikTok.

The trend sees young people try a number of unusual hacks for longer and better sleep, such as grabbing ‘sleepy girl mocktails’ or covering their mouths to avoid snoring.

But experts say that “maximizing sleep” can actually be a nightmare for overall health.

“In my day job, the sleep max trend is actually making most people who try to sleep worse,” James Wilson, known as “The Sleep Geek” at Mattress Online, told the Daily Mail, adding that fashion can on the other hand. cause “orthosomnia”, an obsession with getting “perfect sleep”.

“Of course, that’s not helpful, because when we’re stressed and anxious we sleep worse.”

Wilson isn’t a fan of oral taping, despite users swearing up and down that it makes them feel more rested.

“There is no evidence that the practice improves sleep and masks the main symptoms of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea,” he warned.

“Nasal breathing is good for our well-being, the best way to do it more at night is to consciously practice doing it during the day.”

Meanwhile, others swear by the “sleepy girl mocktail” — a bedtime drink of seltzer water, cherry juice and magnesium powder that users insist delivers the best sleep of their lives.

While experts have hailed the mix as a great way to get magnesium into the diet and suspect it could help people feel more relaxed, nutritionist Toby King told the Daily Mail that people should be careful about the amount of the mineral. that they consume, as high doses of magnesium can have a negative reaction in the gut and make the muscles too relaxed.

But Wilson added that the drink is “unlikely to help significantly” and is probably a placebo. He’s not so convinced that the sleep-maximizing methods popularized on TikTok have any benefit for those desperate for more sleep.

“It has become increasingly prominent in recent months due to podcasters and influencers giving a platform to practices and theories that have little or no evidence, and promoting brands that sell products behind these trends, which they often have deals with. undisclosed tradesmen,” he said.

“The best way to sleep better is to understand who you are as a sleeper, figure out what’s keeping you from sleeping, and look for the best tips and/or products to solve that specific problem.”