Are you keeping up with sleep trends? Between the rising popularity of wearable health devices, eating or drinking for better sleep and testing a growing list of sleep hacks, our fascination with better rest just keeps growing. The latest trend, sleepmaxxing, takes it to a new level, combining all of the above in pursuit of better sleep and better health. 

If we can optimize our workouts, skincare and screen time, why not our sleep too? For many, it’s become a way to feel more energized, focused and balanced. But as the internet leans into the quest for “perfect sleep,” one thing’s for sure – we’ve never talked this much about how to do nothing at all.

At its core, sleepmaxxing is about getting the most out of your sleep. The term comes from “maxxing” culture, a social media movement focused on optimizing different parts of life, from fitness to productivity. Sleepmaxxing applies that mindset to bedtime.

People who engage in sleepmaxxing might track their sleep with tech tools, optimize their lighting and temperature, fine-tune their diets or build strict bedtime routines. Some add in supplements like magnesium or maca root, which are often suggested to help with sleep or relaxation. Others focus on a back-to-basics approach like going to bed earlier, limiting screens or setting up a more relaxing space.

It all comes back to the goal of waking up feeling better. While the sleep trend looks different for everyone, it shows how much value we’re placing on good rest.

Sleep may be trending more recently, but its importance isn’t new. 

For years, the message that most adults need at least seven hours a night was buried under the belief that success required long hours and little rest. That’s changing as younger generations reject the hustle mindset and look for ways to feel more balanced instead of burned out.

The pandemic played a part too, shifting priorities toward health and self-care. Now social media has taken that awareness mainstream. People share everything from their bedtime routines to health tracker data, turning what used to be a private moment into a public one. We didn’t always get a glimpse into how people get ready for bed or what their sleep setups looked like. Social media has opened the door, giving us more insight into people’s personal routines than ever before.

Sleepmaxxing is part of that shift. It’s a sign that we’re finally seeing sleep for what it is – the foundation of better health and happiness.

Sleepmaxxing can sound complicated, but at its core, it’s pretty simple.

The idea is that improving how you sleep helps you feel better overall. It’s a reasonable goal, but not every routine or product claiming to optimize your rest actually helps.

Some habits linked to sleepmaxxing are solid. Keeping a consistent bedtime, skipping caffeine late in the day, limiting screens before bed and creating a cool, quiet sleep space all support better sleep. These are really just refreshed versions of classic sleep hygiene.

A growing number of people now track every stage of their sleep with wearables and apps. That data can be interesting, but it can also create pressure to hit a certain score. Stressing about sleep can actually make it harder to fall asleep, and turning rest into something you grade every morning won’t help.

Some sleepmaxxers are trying mouth taping to force nasal breathing overnight. Its promoted to audiences as something that can reduce snoring, dry mouth, bad breath and long-term issues like gum problems. But taping the mouth shut can be risky, especially for anyone with obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway already narrows or collapses during sleep. It can make breathing harder and may even injure soft tissue.

Experts have also warned that DIY fixes like mouth taping or nostril expanders can hide real sleep problems instead of addressing them.

That doesn’t mean the trend is all wrong. If sleepmaxxing inspires people to take their rest more seriously, that’s a positive step. The key is finding what works for you and skipping the pressure to perfect it.

Sleepmaxxing can be helpful when it focuses on simple, consistent habits. But when the trend promises instant results or extreme fixes, it’s worth taking a step back. If it helps you wind down at night and feel more rested, that’s a win. Just remember that real rest isn’t something you can hack. It’s something you support.

At its best, sleepmaxxing is a reminder that good sleep is essential to a healthier life. It’s a trendy way to realize the importance of building habits that help you unwind and rest your best. 

Here are a few ways to approach it without the pressure.

Going to bed and waking up around the same time each day helps your body find its natural rhythm. You don’t need a strict schedule, just enough consistency that your body knows when it’s time to rest.

Your bedroom should feel relaxing, not like another to-do list. Focus on what makes you comfortable like soft bedding and a supportive mattress. Make sure they’re made of materials that keep you cool and cozy, not sweaty and uncomfortable. Small changes can make your space feel more restful.

Scrolling before bed might feel relaxing, but bright screens can keep your brain alert long past bedtime. Try swapping late-night screen time for something slower like reading a book, sleep sounds, ASMR or a few minutes of quiet wakefulness to reset.

Trends will come and go, but real rest is built on simple consistency. You don’t need every supplement or gadget to feel rested. Start with the basics and pay attention to what genuinely helps you relax, not what’s trending online. Humans have gone through all of history sleeping without some of these promoted products – they’re not always necessary.

If you’re consistently waking up tired or struggling to rest despite trying different routines, it may help to talk with a healthcare professional. They can help rule out underlying issues and guide you toward healthy habits that fit your life.

Sleepmaxxing may have started as another internet trend, but its popularity shows that people are finally paying attention to how they rest, and that’s something worth celebrating.

Still, sleep doesn’t need to be optimized or analyzed to be valuable. The best kind of rest happens when you give yourself permission to slow down, unplug and simply feel comfortable in your own space.

Perfect sleep isn’t the goal. Instead, focus on waking up feeling good. That’s something worth maxxing out.