sleepmaxxing
noun
| SLEEP-mak-sing
The use of practices and devices purported to help increase the quality and quantity of sleep
What does sleepmaxxing mean?
Sleepmaxxing is a form of sleep optimization, or getting better (and more) sleep. This can be done in a number of ways, including by limiting things that disrupt sleep, using physical aids (such as mouth tape), and taking supplements (such as melatonin).
Examples of sleepmaxxing
The human body requires adequate sleep for optimal functioning, and people often try various ways to improve their sleep quality. Among those is "sleepmaxxing", a viral trend that many are trying in order to "fix" their sleep. This trend claims to promote relaxation and a better night's sleep.
—Hindustan Times, 26 Sept. 2024
The average age for TikTok users is 24 years old and the majority of sleepmaxxing videos I have watched are made by people in their early twenties.
—“Sleep is very fundamental for your overall health and well-being,” says Dr. Haq. “And if there's anything you want to invest in, that is your sleep.” However, people who “sleepmax” tend to try all sorts of sleep “hacks” at once in an effort to improve their shuteye without actually getting to the root cause of their sleep issues.
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Where does sleepmaxxing come from?
The word sleepmaxxing is formed by combining sleep with the second half of looksmaxxing, which refers to practices, especially those used by young men online, thought to enhance physical one’s appearance. The concept of sleepmaxxing is not new, and sleep optimization (as it is sometimes called) has been used for decades to describe habits aimed at bettering sleep. Sleepmaxxing, a more recent word, has become considerably more prominent recently, following a trend on several social media sites (especially TikTok) of people extolling its benefits and sharing tips for how to achieve better sleep.
How is sleepmaxxing used?
Sleepmaxxing is currently used mainly by non-medical practitioners, often as a blanket term covering any one of a number of possible ways of improving the quality and quantity of sleep. Medical professionals generally agree with the idea that many people would benefit from more sleep (and sleep of better quality), while at the same time cautioning that some of the practices commonly associated with sleepmaxxing (such as taping one’s mouth shut, using apps that track one’s sleep habits, and taking unregulated supplements) may be counterproductive, or in some cases even harmful.
