TikTok’s latest obsession is “sleepmaxxing”—a wellness trend aimed at maximizing both the amount and quality of sleep you get each night, with videos racking up hundreds of thousands of views. But unlike most viral health trends that come and go, this one might actually be onto something.

The term “sleepmaxxing” encompasses everything from strategic napping and optimized sleep schedules to specific supplements and bedroom upgrades. Think of it as the ultimate sleep optimization playbook, all wrapped up in bite-sized social media content that Gen Z can actually follow.

What’s Actually Working in Sleepmaxxing

The Magnesium Moment The viral “sleepy girl mocktail”—essentially magnesium mixed into a drink—has become one of the most popular aspects of sleepmaxxing, with nearly 9% of people trying it. While the name is silly, there’s actually some science here. Magnesium can help regulate your nervous system and muscle function, both crucial for quality sleep.

Temperature Control That Actually Works Smart beds and cooling sheets aren’t just expensive gimmicks. Your core body temperature naturally drops when you sleep, so products that help facilitate this process can make a genuine difference, especially if you’re a hot sleeper.

Strategic Sleep Timing Some sleepmaxxers swear by sleeping in 90-minute increments, particularly popular among Gen Z with 15% having tried it. This aligns with natural sleep cycles, making it easier to wake up feeling refreshed rather than groggy.

Meditation That Actually Slaps The sleepmaxxing crowd has discovered what sleep experts have known forever—meditation before bed actually works. But we’re not talking about sitting cross-legged for hours. Think 5-10 minute guided sessions, body scans, or even simple breathing techniques like the 4-7-8 method (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8). The key is finding what doesn’t feel like homework.

The Sketchy Side of Sleepmaxxing

Mouth Taping Red Flags Mouth taping—literally taping your mouth shut to force nasal breathing—has moved from TikTok to mainstream, but health experts warn there’s not enough evidence to support it and it can be dangerous for people with sleep apnea.

Bed Rotting Goes Too Far The “bed rotting” trend involves staying in bed for extended periods beyond sleeping, with nearly a quarter of Gen Z admitting to practicing this. While occasional lazy days are fine, making this a habit can actually mess with your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep when you actually need to.

The Meditation Hack That’s Not Really a Hack

Here’s the thing sleepmaxxers are finally figuring out: meditation isn’t some mystical practice that requires years of training. Progressive muscle relaxation, where you tense and release each muscle group, takes maybe 10 minutes and works better than most of the supplements people are buying. Body scan meditations help you actually notice where you’re holding stress instead of just lying there thinking about tomorrow’s meeting.

Even visualization techniques—like imagining yourself on a beach or floating on clouds—can shift your brain out of problem-solving mode and into rest mode. The best part? Unlike expensive gadgets or sketchy supplements, meditation is free and has actual research backing it up.

The Bottom Line

Health experts say some aspects of sleepmaxxing can provide healthy benefits, but they warn that many popular videos also promote actions or products that can raise health risks. The best parts of this trend? The focus on sleep hygiene basics like consistent bedtimes, temperature control, meditation practices, and creating a relaxing environment.

Before trying any viral sleep hack, especially supplements or physical practices like mouth taping, talk to your doctor. Your sleep issues might need professional attention, not just TikTok solutions.

But hey, if sleepmaxxing gets people to finally prioritize their sleep and ditch the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mentality, we’re calling that a win.