The term “sleepmaxxing” has surged in popularity in recent weeks, accumulating over 100 million views on TikTok. While the trend encourages maximising sleep for better health, experts caution that an obsession with sleep optimisation may be counterproductive.

Dr Deborah Lee, a sleep expert working alongside Bed Factory Direct, explains that while prioritising sleep is beneficial, the extreme approach promoted by sleepmaxxing could lead to unhealthy habits.

What is “sleepmaxxing” and why is it trending?

With millions of views on TikTok, sleepmaxxing has captivated wellness enthusiasts by promoting strategies to enhance sleep quality and quantity for optimal health and productivity. The term aligns with the broader “maxxing” trend, where individuals strive to optimise different aspects of life, such as fitness, diet, and now sleep.

Experts at Bed Factory Direct suggest that this phenomenon stems from social media users’ increasing focus on self-improvement and wellness. But while sleep is essential for overall well-being, some specialists argue that overemphasising its optimisation may lead to anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns.

Potential risks of sleepmaxxing

Dr Lee, a GP and sleep expert at Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, warns that rigid adherence to extreme sleep optimisation techniques could be counterproductive.

“Sleep is essential for our well-being, but the idea of ‘maxxing’ or optimising it to the extreme can be counterproductive. Sleepmaxxing can lead people to develop a rigid and often unhealthy relationship with sleep, where they prioritise quantity over quality, which is not always beneficial.”

She stresses that sleep should be intuitive and flexible rather than a source of stress.

“Sleep is best when it is intuitive and flexible, not when it becomes a source of stress or obsession. It’s crucial to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to achieve the perfect sleep every night.”

Focus on sleep quality, not just quantity

“While it’s important to get enough sleep, the quality of that sleep matters much more than simply hitting a specific number of hours. Deep, restorative sleep – such as the time spent in REM and deep sleep stages – provides the most benefit for physical recovery and mental clarity. Instead of obsessing over the clock, focus on the feeling of restfulness and how you wake up. A good night’s sleep isn’t just about duration but about how refreshed you feel afterward.”

Be flexible

“Life isn’t always predictable, and sometimes a rigid sleep schedule just isn’t realistic. It’s essential to be flexible with your routine, allowing yourself the occasional late night or early morning without guilt or anxiety. Our bodies can often adapt to variations in sleep timing as long as the overall sleep quality remains consistent. Embrace the flexibility to meet life’s demands without stressing about perfection – balance is key to long-term sleep health.”

Practice good sleep hygiene

“Maintaining good sleep hygiene can significantly improve your sleep quality. This includes keeping your sleep environment comfortable—cool, dark, and quiet—avoiding caffeine or heavy meals late in the day, and incorporating calming activities into your evening routine. Practices like reading, meditation, or deep breathing can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down. Consistency in these habits supports better, more restorative sleep.”

Listen to your body

“Your body is the best guide when it comes to knowing what kind of sleep you need. If you wake up feeling rested and alert, there’s no need to stress over meeting arbitrary sleep targets set by trends or devices. Pay attention to how you feel rather than focusing on a number, whether it’s the number of hours slept or a sleep score from a tracker. Trusting your body’s signals and responding accordingly can help you develop a healthier relationship with sleep.”

While establishing a consistent sleep routine, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine and screen time before bed are important for healthy sleep, sleepmaxxing may push individuals to an unhealthy extreme, prioritising performance over the body’s natural rhythms.

“The key to good sleep is balance. Prioritise rest without becoming overly fixated on achieving perfection and remember that it’s the consistency of healthy habits – not extremes – that lead to long-term benefits.”