TikTok sleep trends are influencing the sleep habits of many Americans, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
The survey, released last week, polled 2,006 Americans online. It found that 37% of respondents had experimented with at least one viral sleep trend. The data showed certain demographics were more likely to participate than others.
Members of Generation Z, those aged 18 to 27, were the most likely to try sleep hacks, with over half (55%) admitting they had followed a TikTok sleep trend. Millennials, aged 28 to 43, followed closely behind, with 50% of them also experimenting with these trends.
Gender also played a role in participation. Men were more likely than women to try sleep trends, with 43% of male respondents engaging in them, compared to 31% of female respondents. Experts suggest this could be linked to men experiencing sleep disorders more frequently than women.
The most popular trend was “bed rotting,” a practice where individuals stay in bed for extended periods doing non-sleep-related activities, such as browsing social media. Some “bed rotters” may stay in bed for an entire day or longer, either to rest and recuperate or to avoid the outside world. Among Gen Z respondents, 24% reported trying bed rotting, while 14% of the total survey group had engaged in this behavior.
“These trends may not be inherently harmful, but it’s crucial to remember that the primary purpose of the bed is sleep,” said Dr. Anne Marie Morse, a sleep medicine physician at Geisinger Health System and spokesperson for the AASM. She emphasized that maintaining healthy sleep habits, such as having a consistent sleep schedule and only going to bed when sleepy, reinforces the idea that the bed is meant for sleep and helps improve sleep quality.
The survey also highlighted a broader shift in bed usage beyond sleep trends. Over half (51%) of the respondents said they spent more than 30 minutes in bed each night before attempting to sleep, while 27% reported spending similar amounts of time in bed after waking up.
A few niche trends also emerged in the survey results. The Scandinavian sleep method, which involves couples using separate blankets or comforters instead of sharing, had been tried by 10% of respondents.
The “sleepy girl mocktail,” a drink containing magnesium that is believed to promote better sleep, was another trend some had experimented with. Overall, 9% of respondents reported trying this drink, with 14% of millennials being the most likely to use it.
Surprisingly, some survey participants admitted to streaming their sleep online. Around 7% had livestreamed themselves sleeping, while 8% reported watching others sleep on livestreams. Once again, millennials were the most engaged, with 12% of them livestreaming their own sleep and 14% watching others do so.
These trends reveal how social media, particularly TikTok, is shaping the way people approach sleep. While some of these practices may seem harmless, experts urge individuals to prioritize sleep hygiene and focus on practices that truly support healthy rest.
