TikTok Sleep Hacks: We review the top 7+1 hacks for better sleep

We met TikTok in quarantine! And due to the special circumstances... it didn't take long for it to become the most viral medium with the most... crazy subject matter. Well, don't be left out of the topic of sleep, with sleep hacks being one of the most popular videos on the platform! But the main question about them is this: do they really help you sleep better? There are a lot of false health claims on social media and it can be hard to tell what's real and what's not! That is why we ALWAYS follow the opinion of experts both for the quality of our sleep and for any health issue that concerns us. Do These 7 Viral TikTok Sleep Hacks Work? So, without going into deeper analyzes from a medical point of view, we have selected the 7+1 most popular TikTok sleep hacks and comment on them… in our own way to answer if they are even practical or just… humorous! Expose or respect? Let's start! 1. "Lettuce tea" before bed DEFINITELY the right kind of tea and herbs can help you sleep. But we are talking about authentic… tea and herbs and NOT lettuce! The viral sleep hack originally posted by TikTok user Shapla Hoque claims that lettuce has sleep-promoting properties — and that lettuce tea can make you sleepy within 30 minutes of drinking it. Truth; NO! A scientific test in mice showed that lettuce may have some effect on sleep duration - but not on sleep onset. Better to enjoy the nutritional properties of lettuce while you are awake…in your salad! 2. The "Military Sleep Hack" Also known as military sleep, this method soldiers use to sleep anytime, anywhere — even on the battlefield. You start the technique by lying flat and clearing your mind. Then you relax every muscle in your body—from your head to your toes. Truth; No! This is essentially progressive muscle relaxation - but not quite sleep. It's not a bad way to wind down from a long day, but it's not the only thing you should do to relax and fall asleep instantly. 3. Use of crystals This hack claims that certain crystals—like amethyst, rose quartz, and moonstone—can help you calm your mind and fall asleep more easily. Truth; No! Instead of using crystals to help you sleep, count sheep the traditional way as you lie on a comfortable mattress perfect for your needs! 4. Wearing socks to bed This simple sleep hack is SUPPOSED to encourage you to wear socks to bed for a better night's sleep. TRUTH; Maybe YES! A study published by the Journal of Physiological Anthropology observed 6 young men and looked at how well they slept when they wore socks to bed, compared to when they didn't. The researchers found that participants who wore socks to bed almost 8 minutes faster than those who did not. They also slept 32 minutes longer and experienced significantly fewer night awakenings. Wearing socks can definitely help you sleep better if you experience cold feet at night. However, it does not mean that this works for everyone! As always, we choose to do things that make us feel comfortable in order to relax. 5. The "Technique" 4-7-8 Oops! What is it? The 4-7-8 technique helps lower your heart rate, which can make you feel tired. By focusing on your breathing, you can also calm your mind and fall asleep more easily. This can be especially effective if anxiety or worry keeps you up at night. How to do it:

• Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
• Hold your breath for 7 seconds
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds
• Repeat as needed

Truth; Ahem! And it's so easy. Try it tonight — I think you'll find it much more effective than lettuce tea! 6. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to help promote health through pleasant smells. It is used as a natural remedy for many health problems, from stuffy noses and upset stomachs to insomnia. Your sense of smell is directly connected to the emotion and memory centers of your brain. This is why some smells have such a strong and evocative effect on you. For example, the smell of your mom's homemade cookies or the smell of the ocean after a childhood trip to the beach can make you feel calm or nostalgic. Truth; YES! Aromatherapy can be a great way to help you get a better night's sleep. Here are some essential oils I recommend for better sleep:

• Lavender
• Vanilla
• Citrus
• Jasmine

7. Lowering your bedroom temperature In fact, when it comes to sleep, the cooler the better. This is because hot temperatures can make you more likely to get up during the night and can reduce the time you spend in REM sleep. This is not so much a hack as a general truth that applies to the ideal bedroom environment and we recommend it too! 8. The right sleeping mattress My dear readers, this is the best "hack", which actually works most definitely of all! No matter how good the bedroom environment is, no matter how calm and relaxed you are, no matter how much you have enjoyed a soothing tea before bed, if you do not lie on a wonderful, comfortable mattress that perfectly "hugs" your body and creates you directly the ideal feeling of relaxation and relief you desire, then no trick can do it better! Challenge this! * The scientific information of article they have drafted from by Michael Breus, Ph.D, The Sleep Doctor is a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine