Top 5 sleep trends revealed — here’s which ones actually work
Time to give these so-called sleep hacks a rest?
The team behind the sleep tracker Sleep Cycle crunched data from over 1 million global users to determine the social media slumber shortcuts that have gone viral. The Sweden-based company recently released the results as part of its annual Sleep Around the World report.
“This year’s trends have definitely been an interesting mix of old and new,” Michael Gradisar, Sleep Cycle’s head of sleep science, told The Post.
“Let’s just say those of us who earn a living improving people’s sleep don’t use these,” he added. “But some of these trends do highlight just how far people are willing to go in search of better sleep.”
Gradisar evaluated five of these popular sleep habits and shared whether to toss ’em — or turn ’em into reality. Bed-er safe than sorry!
Mouth taping
Placing a small piece of medical-grade tape across the lips forces the snoozer to breathe through their nose instead of their mouth.
The practice is designed to boost sleep quality by reducing snoring and dry mouth. Some claim it even snatches jawlines and improves facial features, though there’s no scientific proof that’s the case.
Gradisar said the method “kind of works” when lips are taped vertically but encourages consultation with a respiratory sleep physician before trying it.
“While one small study has shown promising results in reducing sleep apnea severity with mouth taping, the evidence is still limited,” he wrote in the Sleep Cycle report.
Grounding sheets
Conductive materials like silver or copper are woven into the fabric of this bedding, also called earthing sheets.
The sheets are plugged into a wall outlet to create an electrical connection between the user’s body and the Earth. The flow of electrons is supposed to reduce pain and inflammation while improving circulation, energy and sleep.
Gradisar is not a fan, calling the purported power of grounding sheets a myth.
“There is not a single study that has tested grounding sheets for sleep. So, there is no scientific evidence to support their use,” he penned.
Sleepy girl mocktail
Gradisar said the TikTok-friendly, non-alcoholic mash-up of tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and sparkling water or prebiotic soda “kind of works.”
“While some of the ingredients, like tart cherries and magnesium, have shown modest potential to support
sleep in specific circumstances, their effects are generally subtle and not universally noticeable,” he explained.
“The alcohol-free aspect of the mocktail is a positive step for sleep health, but its overall impact on sleep quality is likely minimal for most people.”
Digital detox
Some experts discourage electronics use before bed because the blue light emitted from these devices can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
Gradisar called the need for digital detox a myth.
“My research team has spent hundreds of hours investigating how different technologies affect sleep,” he wrote. “We’ve found that they typically don’t have a significant impact on sleep if a regular bedtime aligned with someone’s natural sleep-wake cycle is maintained.”
It’s OK to play video games or use a smartphone, Gradisar said, as long as you wind down before bed with more passive activities such as watching TV or listening to a podcast.
Sleep divorce
Partners sleeping in separate beds or bedrooms is gaining ground across the US — and Gradisar endorses the behavior as a way to improve your overall health and relationship.
“There is strong evidence that factors like movement, noise and temperature imbalances from a bed partner can disrupt sleep quality,” he noted.
“While many solutions exist to address these issues without separating, sleeping apart can be an effective option for improving individual sleep when other remedies aren’t sufficient.”
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