Sleepmaxxing is a term that has become popular on TikTok and refers to the idea of maximising your sleep quality and quantity to improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

While sleep is essential for our wellbeing, some sleep experts believe that sleepmaxxing could do more harm than good.

"Sleepmaxxing can lead people to develop a rigid and often unhealthy relationship with sleep, where they prioritise quantity over quality, which is not always beneficial," warns Dr Deborah Lee, a sleep expert working alongside Bed Factory Direct.

"Sleep is best when it is intuitive and flexible, not when it becomes a source of stress or obsession, it's crucial to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to achieve the perfect sleep every night."

Dr Lee, a leading sleep specialist at Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, shares her tips for a healthy sleep cycle…

Focus on quality: According to the expert, a good night's sleep isn't just about duration but about how refreshed you feel afterwards.

"While it's important to get enough sleep, the quality of that sleep matters much more than simply hitting a specific number of hours," Dr Lee explains.

"Deep, restorative sleep - such as the time spent in REM and deep sleep stages - provides the most benefit for physical recovery and mental clarity."

Be flexible: Not every day is the same, so it's important to allow yourself to be flexible when it comes to your sleep schedule.

"Life isn't always predictable, and sometimes a rigid sleep schedule just isn't realistic," the sleep specialist says.

"It's essential to be flexible with your routine, allowing yourself the occasional late night or early morning without guilt or anxiety."

Practice good sleep hygiene: Calming practices like reading, meditation, or deep breathing help you wind down before bedtime and support more restorative sleep.

"Maintaining good sleep hygiene can significantly improve your sleep quality," she notes.

"This includes keeping your sleep environment comfortable - cool, dark, and quiet - avoiding caffeine or heavy meals late in the day and incorporating calming activities into your evening routine."

Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body feels rather than focusing on the number of hours slept.

"Your body is the best guide when it comes to knowing what kind of sleep you need," Dr Lee states.

"If you wake up feeling rested and alert, there's no need to stress over meeting arbitrary sleep targets set by trends or devices."