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Sleepmaxxing: Is Perfect Sleep Hurting Your Rest?
18 Nov
Summary
- Obsession with 'sleepmaxxing' can increase anxiety and hinder rest.
- Consistent wake/sleep times anchor the body clock and hormone release.
- Morning light and breakfast support sleep drive and stabilise blood sugar.
An increasing focus on 'sleepmaxxing' and perfecting sleep through gadgets and supplements is ironically causing more anxiety and less restful nights for many. Experts emphasize that achieving quality sleep relies on consistent daily habits rather than just nighttime rituals. Maintaining regular sleep and wake times is vital for regulating essential hormones, influencing energy levels, mood, and cognitive function.
Simple lifestyle changes can significantly improve sleep quality, aligning with NHS recommendations. This includes establishing a consistent wake-up time to anchor the body's internal clock and taking a warm shower before bed to aid the natural cooling process that signals rest. Making the bed a 'no-scroll zone' is also recommended to avoid the stimulating effects of screens.
Ultimately, good sleep hygiene begins upon waking, not at bedtime. Exposure to morning light and having breakfast helps regulate the body's clock and stabilise blood sugar, supporting the sleep drive throughout the day. These fundamental practices are key to waking up refreshed and avoiding the detrimental health effects of poor sleep.
