From dark showering to sleepmaxxing, expert rates popular sleep trends; Can you guess which one tops the list?

Which one is your favourite sleep trend? (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Our collective sleep cycles paint a telling picture. Sleep is one of the important pillars of health and yet the way most of us neglect it and run of deficiency of it is alarming. Waking up till wee hours of morning and then waking up at a time when half of the day has gone by is just bad for both our mental and physical health.

It's not like we don't understand how important sleep is for us to function at an optimum level. We do. This can also probably explain why there is a spike in sleep trends. From dark showering to sleepmaxxing, people have been trying all kinds of things with the one and only endeavour in mind and that is to sleep better.

Moneycontrol's team spoke to Dr Akshay Budhraja, Senior Consultant & HOD, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, to understand more about sleep trends and see where they rank on his list on a scale of 1 to 10.

A bizarre trend, this one involves sleeping on a bed of potatoes or one filled with potatoes or even placing potatoes under the pillow. Wondering why someone would do that? Well, it is believed that by doing, it will "absorb negative energy." Dr Budhraja said there is no scientific basis for this claim. "While potatoes contain grounding minerals, they offer no proven benefit for sleep quality. At best, it's harmless; at worst, it's unhygienic," he shared.

This method involves systematic relaxation of the body and clearing of the mind so that one feels calm. This method was designed for soldiers to fall asleep quickly. "Research backs up relaxation and cognitive detachment as potent means of inducing sleep. It is one of the most effective and evidence-based methods to fight insomnia," the doctor told Moneycontrol.

This one is gaining a lot of traction. It involves having a warm shower in dim light or in darkness. The  idea behind doing so is to send a signal to your body that it is time to call it a day. This practice is believe to lower cortisol and raise melatonin levels. "It is a very good bedtime ritual, provided one takes necessary precautions to ensure safety. The soothing effect is more related to temperature and ambience, not the darkness as such," Dr Budhraja highlighted.

The idea behind taping the mouth shut during sleep is to promote nasal breathing. However, though nasal breathing is healthier, taping can be dangerous for people with nasal congestion, sleep apnea, or allergic conditions. This might be associated with breathing difficulties and anxiety. Instead, one may consult a sleep specialist or ENT doctor in case of persistent mouth breathing.

There are many people who are beginning to swear by this sleep trend. It is all about making sure one has the conducive environment to sleep peacefully. From blackout curtains, sleeping at a fixed time to reducing caffeine intake and and screen time, Dr Budhraja opined that this is a good trend to hop on to. "It is essentially good sleep hygiene rebranded for the digital era. When done mindfully, as opposed to obsessively, it is an extremely effective approach to improving overall sleep quality and daytime focus," he said.

Popularised on social media, this bedtime drink generally consists of tart cherry juice which offers a natural source of melatonin-magnesium powder and sparkling water. If someone is suffering from mild insomnia, a combination of cherry juice and magnesium may help; however, the effects are very subtle and not uniform. "It's safe but not a magic potion. Overall, good sleep hygiene matters more," the doctor concluded.

A: Sleep helps your body repair, boosts immunity, and supports brain function and mood.

A: Most adults need 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.

A: Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, poor focus, weight gain, and weakened immunity.

A: Yes. Good sleep reduces stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

A: Keep a consistent bedtime, avoid screens before bed, and create a calm, dark sleeping space.