Sleepmaxxing, a trend that’s gained significant attention on social media, particularly on TikTok, refers to prioritizing enough sleep through the use of various methods such as mouth tapping, using weighted blankets, white nose machines, taking magnesium and melatonin, etc.
According to Harvard Health, getting adequate sleep is essential for overall well-being, but oversleeping can have negative effects. Some of these strategies recommended by sleepmaxxers are basically what sleep experts prescribe as good sleep hygiene, which has plenty of research backing its value.
Various determinants of sleep hygiene are;
- Decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption.
Caffeine blocks sleep-inducing chemical like adenosine and stimulates the brain making one feel alert and awake. Also, consuming alcohol immediately before bedtime causes one to wake up frequently during the night hence leading to poor sleep quality. If possible, avoid taking caffeine 4-6 hours as well as alcohol 2-3 hours before bedtime.
- Limiting physical activity right before bedtime.
Exercise or physical activity leads to increased adrenaline, elevated body temperature which actually interferes with sleep quality. However, there are a couple of light physical activity that can be done closer to bedtime such as yoga, leisurely walking and stretching
- Having a regular sleep routine.
Develop a sleep schedule and stick to it. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This helps regulate the body’s internal clock, improve concentration, memory as well as reduce stress hence leading to a good quality sleep.
- Reducing evening light exposure.
Avoid using smartphones, laptops, tablets or computers an hour before bedtime. Block out any light coming through the window to enable quality sleep. Exposure to these lights suppresses the production of melatonin hence making it harder for one to actually fall asleep faster.
- Limit daytime naps and having a cool bedroom.
Resist from taking longer naps especially after 4 pm to avoid interfering with nighttime sleep. Additionally, maintaining a cool bedroom atmosphere can help improve sleep patterns ad well as sleep quality. For instance, a bedroom that has a hot temperature can result to restlessness and decrease sleep quality.
However, sleeping too much can have a negative impact on ones health. Excessive sleep can affect attention, memory, and decision-making skills, higher risk of obesity, diabetes, anxiety, depression as well as cardiovascular diseases. Also, relying too heavily on sleep gadgets such as nose machines and melatonin supplements can lead to unnecessary stress and expense, rather than addressing underlying sleep issues.
To conclude, while sleepmaxxing may offer some benefits, such as improved sleep quality, it’s critical to approach this trend with caution as well as follow the evidence based sleep methods. By all means, prioritize quality sleep but avoid excessive sleeping.
Submitted by: Priscilla Akorfa Fomevor
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
