In today’s fast-paced world, getting a good night’s sleep has become very challenging. Whether it’s due to constant doomscrolling, work-related stress, exams or other factors, many people are struggling not just to fall asleep but also to get deep sleep.

Recent data shows that around 61 per cent of people in India have been getting less than six hours of uninterrupted sleep each night in the last 12 months, up from 50 per cent in 2022.

These numbers are undoubtedly alarming. However, the widespread struggle to sleep well at night is well known. In fact, for some people, it is a daily struggle. Many of us make promises to fix our sleep cycles, but they often go unfulfilled.

This constant struggle to fall asleep has given rise to a peculiar content on social media, where experts and influencers not only offer tips but also demonstrate various (additional) techniques to help people fall asleep faster and improve their sleep quality. These people are called sleepmaxers, and their content is called sleepmaxing.

But what exactly is sleepmaxing?

In simple terms, sleepmaxing is a trend in which people attempt to ‘perfect’ their sleep by eliminating potential disruptors and using various sleep-enhancing devices and supplements, such as:

• Mouth Tape
• magnesium oil or supplement
• Sleep Tracker
• Jaw straps
• red light therapy
• Tart Cherry Juice
• Melatonin Supplements
• Ashwagandha

And much more

The term also has a more informal meaning, referring to getting as much sleep as possible (sleepmaxing), sometimes at the expense of daily responsibilities.

Online sleepmaxers not only use these devices (mentioned above) and implement various techniques like journaling and stretching to improve sleep, but they also promote these methods, encouraging others to try them — often with the goal of increasing sales of these products.

The sleep aid market in India is expected to generate revenue of approximately US$28 million in 2024, and has a projected growth rate of 9.55% over the next four years.

This figure is significantly higher in the US (approximately US$32,024 million), where the sleepmaxing trend originated.

Experts suggest that the growing obsession with sleep, which is being fueled by such social media trends, is fuelling the rapid expansion of the market.

Why this obsession with sleep?

What effect does not sleeping properly have on your body?

Studies show that sleep deficiency is linked to many long-term health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.

However, ironically, the sudden rise in obsession with sleep is also linked to people’s inability to sleep.

Dr. Sneha Sharma, psychiatrist and co-founder of Anvay Healthcare, which treats patients suffering from insomnia, says, “Given today’s lifestyle, it has become increasingly difficult for people to fall asleep or get a good night’s sleep. Factors such as limited physical activity and excessive screen time are leading to greater difficulties in falling asleep and staying asleep, which, in turn, affects the quality of rest that individuals get. As more people are becoming aware of how essential sleep is for their health, they are focusing more on ensuring high-quality sleep.”

Dr Shankar S Biradar, Medical Director, Magniflex India (a mattress brand), agrees. “A good night’s sleep has become a coveted treasure, with many people striving to optimise their comfort to enhance their performance, health and well-being,” he says.

‘Sleep worries’

We know that the goal of sleepmaxing and sleepmaxers is to improve sleep, but an excessive focus on achieving perfection can sometimes lead to a condition called “orthosomnia,” where the obsession with perfect sleep causes stress and leads to poor sleep quality.

For example, Dr. Biradar explains that some individuals take their desire to get a good night’s sleep to extreme levels, which can inadvertently impact their sleep quality and overall health.

“The pressure to achieve perfection can have adverse consequences. When people become overly concerned about sleep, they may experience excessive anxiety and stress, which are known to cause sleep disturbances,” he says.

Out of all the generations, Generation Z seems to be the one experiencing the most sleep issues.

• A 2022 study in Sleep Medicine Reviews found that Generation Z experiences more sleep disturbances than previous generations.
• The study also found that younger generations are prioritising sleep more than ever before, understanding its impact on health and actively seeking solutions.
• As they age, baby boomers face sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea.

This way

1. Overreliance on sleep technology

There has been a surge in the use of apps and wearable devices designed to track sleep patterns. While these devices can provide valuable information (although not always accurate, especially about sleep patterns), excessive reliance on them may promote anxiety about sleep performance rather than facilitate true rest. Often, discrepancies between perceived and actual sleep can lead individuals to unnecessary anxiety.

2. Rigid Leak Schedules

Dr. Biradar says that while following a strict sleep schedule can be beneficial, rigidity can be harmful.

He adds, “Social events, travel, or even stressful days can disrupt a sleep routine, and not following it obsessively can lead to guilt or stress, further impacting sleep quality.”

3. Sleep anxiety

The fear of not getting “enough” sleep can paradoxically inhibit relaxation and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Trends like sleepmaxing also increase the pressure to get good sleep, which can prevent you from falling asleep.

“It’s important to remember that occasional poor sleep is natural and doesn’t impact overall good sleep health,” says Dr. Biradar.

Plus, not every hack you see on Instagram or other social media apps will help you sleep.

For instance, Dr Ravi Shankarji, sleep expert and director of internal medicine at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Bengaluru, says that although sleep supplements like magnesium claim to work, more research is needed to prove their efficacy.

“It is not necessary that it [magnesium] Dr. Sharma says, “Magnesium is effective in every case. Magnesium can be used along with lifestyle changes and this can give better results than relying on magnesium alone.”

Similarly, put tape over mouthThis plant, which encourages nasal breathing, may offer many potential benefits for sleep. It may help reduce or eliminate snoring by reducing mouth breathing and removing airway obstruction.

For people with mild obstructive sleep apnea, taping the mouth may help keep the airway open, reducing sleep interruptions. Additionally, taping the mouth may help promote nasal breathing, which may improve oxygenation, which is important for restful sleep. But despite its potential benefits, taping the mouth is not suitable for everyone.

Experts recommend that people suffering from nasal obstruction, severe sleep apnea or respiratory problems should consult a healthcare professional before attempting this exercise.

Remember, the more anxious you are about sleeping, the harder it will be to fall asleep – it’s a never-ending cycle.

Try these tips that may help you fall asleep faster.