What Is Sleepmaxxing? The Sleep Revolution Trend All Over TikTok

‘Sleepmaxxing’ is a term that has risen in popularity on TikTok – but what exactly is it? And should you be bothering with it?

Sleepmaxxing refers to the maximising of sleep time and quality by the means of tracking sleep and forming a routine.

While the idea of getting more and better sleep isn’t new, sleepmaxxing takes it a step further by treating sleep as a science and art form, something to be optimised for peak physical, mental and emotional performance.

The term ‘sleepmaxxing’ comes from the ongoing trends of ‘looksmaxxing’ and ‘brainmaxxing’. It’s part of a large – and sometimes controversial – movement on TikTok where users are seeking to improve every part of their lives. From productivity, looks, and health, sleepmaxxing fits perfectly into this framework because sleep is foundational to every aspect of well-being.

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So, how does one sleepmaxx? It all starts with understanding your sleep cycles. While the old advice of getting a full eight hours still holds truth, sleepmaxxing goes deeper. It’s all about ensuring that you’re getting enough deep sleep and REM sleep, which are all critical for memory, mood and muscle recovery. Tools like the Whoop Band can help you monitor your sleep stages and hours. But are they really that beneficial? 

While sleep tracking gadgets and apps promise to optimise your rest, some experts caution against relying heavily on them. The constant focus on “sleep scores” and data can instead cause and unhealthy obsession that fuels anxiety rather than fostering better sleep. Rather than waking up and feeling rested, you could end up focusing on why you didn’t get your “ideal” sleep score. Ironically, this added stress might make it harder to fall asleep the following night,

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Aside from gadgets, sleepmaxxing is also about the environment you surround yourself with at night. Picture a cool dark room that feels like a sanctuary, complete with weighted blankets, and white noise machines. But it’s not just about physical space, it’s also about the routine you create for yourself. Whether its’ reading a book, practicing meditation, or simply winding down, these habits all signal your brain and body that it’s time to switch off.

Sleepmaxxing doesn’t just stop there, though. Nutrition also plays a role in how well you rest. Cutting back on caffeine in the afternoon or evening can help you avoid those late night tosses and turns. Meanwhile, incorporating sleep friendly supplements such as magnesium and melatonin can help give your body that extra support it needs to drift off naturally 

Blue-light glasses have also become a staple in the sleepmaxxing trend. Studies have shown that the blue-light that emits from devices affects melatonin levels which in turn will heavily impact the way you sleep. Wearing these glasses in the evening two to three hours before you sleep will help you fall asleep faster and also improve quality. 

Sleemaxxing isn’t a trend anymore, it’s a mindset shift. As more people realise that better sleep means better everything, improving rest has become the new self-care flex. Whether your you’re tracking your sleep, upgrading your bedding or just sticking to a good routine, the goal is the same, wake up feeling refreshed.

At the end of the day (literally), sleepmaxxing is about making rest work for you, because nothing feel or looks better than being well rested.

Words by Emilia Cercel