The “Sleepmaxxing”, a new trend with sometimes dangerous methods – rts.ch

Nocturnal oral dressings. Nevertheless, swings being suspended by the nape of the neck: under the generic term of “sleepmaxxing” (or “sleep optimization”), influencers and influencer feed a growing obsession on social networks: that of sleeping as best as possible.

If all the advice for sleeping is not bad – for example being for the benefit of a darkest possible room. Moreover, at a rather cool room temperature, eliminating caffeine and screens before sleeping and managing its stress well – certain recommendations do not guarantee a restful sleep.

Behind this tendency of Sleepmaxxing even hide many dubious affirmations. For example, devoid of “sleepmaxxing”, new trend sometimes dangerous any scientific foundation, some of which can be diligently dangerous.

The swing of the Sand Marchant – "sleepmaxxing", new trend sometimes dangerous

One of the alleged miracle remedies against insomnia is what is called “swinging of the neck”. Therefore, an exercise in “strengthening” of cervicals particularly popular on Chinese social networks.

The principle of neck swing? We hang into the air. a padded belt under the chin, and we swing from our whole body back to back or from left to right.

“Those who try it say that their sleep disorders “sleepmaxxing”, new trend sometimes dangerous have improved significantly. ” said a video on X, seen more than eleven million times.

However, nothing proves, quite the contrary. A Chinese public television channel recently reported at least one death linked to the “seaping of the neck”. Scientists from the People’s Republic of China are sounding the alarm ring today.

The gag to make a rush – "sleepmaxxing", new trend sometimes dangerous

&quot. sleepmaxxing", new trend sometimes dangerous

Another widespread practice among people who optimize their sleep is the oral dressing, or “Mouth Taping”. This method consists in sealing your mouth during the night with an adhesive dressing specially designed “sleepmaxxing”, new trend sometimes dangerous for the task.

According to the neurobiologist Albrecht Vorster. a researcher on sleep at the hospital on the island of Bern, respiratory problems are one of the most common sleep disturbances. Better nasal breathing can therefore considerably improve sleep.

Many influencers “sleepmaxxing”, new trend sometimes dangerous conclude that it is necessary to “force” this nasal breathing. and therefore recommend a oral dressing. By extension. they say that the oral dressing promotes better sleep, but also better oral health and a reduction in snoring.

A study Led by George Washington University in the United States concluded that these statements on better sleep thanks. to the oral dressing cannot be scientifically proven. Scientists also warn that scoring their mouths at night could be dangerous, especially for people with sleep apnea.

Longevity. orthosomnia injunctions

During his interview at the microphone of SRF, the Albrecht Vorster neurobiologist evokes the fact that the Sleepmaxxing is part of a wider emerging social trend: the search for longevity. A daily race to “maximize your life, performance and lifespan.”

However, sleep is one of the four pillars of a healthy life, alongside physical exercise, food and social life. This is why the interest in sleep is growing. “sleepmaxxing”, new trend sometimes dangerous “People want to wake up rested, productive and efficient in the morning,” he says.

The neurobiologist also tells that at the hospital on the island of Bern. he meets “more and more people with a real obsession for good sleep.” The expert even speaks of orthosomnia. “These are people who try to sleep exactly. who look at their tracking every morning to find out what their sleep” score “was, who no longer respect their social obligations in the evening because it could disturb their sleep, but who are also afraid of having a “sleepmaxxing”, new trend sometimes dangerous sleep disorder and developing diseases.”

In the final analysis, if this tendency to Sleepmaxxing turns into obsession, it can also prove to be counterproductive. “The more we try to control your sleep by rigid tips. routines, the more alert and stressed you become,” explains Kathryn Pinkham, a great British sleep specialist.

Sujet Radio: SRF 4 News

French adaptation: Julien Furrer (RTS)