Optimizing sleep has become more than just a wellness goal. It’s now a full-blown cultural trend. From blackout curtains to wearable trackers, Americans are going all in on “sleepmaxxing,” a rising movement focused on maximizing rest with strategic habits, tools, and products.
To better understand what’s driving this shift, we surveyed 1,000 Americans about their sleep behaviors. We explored who’s engaging in sleepmaxxing, what methods they’re using, how much they’re spending, and what impact it’s having on their lives.
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The findings reveal a clear generational divide, unexpected emotional consequences, and a growing desire for control over sleep quality in an overstimulated world.
Key Takeaways
- Over 2 in 5 Americans (45%) say they engage in sleepmaxxing, actively working to optimize their sleep routines with products, tools, and rituals.
- Gen Z leads the sleepmaxxing trend, with 48% actively optimizing their sleep.
- Nearly 1 in 10 Americans (8%) have spent $500 or more on sleep-related products or tools in the past year.
- Americans who engage in sleepmaxxing are 16% more likely than those who don’t to report high life satisfaction.
- Almost 1 in 4 Americans (24%) say they’ve felt guilty or had FOMO for skipping social plans to protect their sleep routine.
- Over 1 in 4 Americans (28%) track their sleep with a wearable device or app, and nearly 3 in 10 of them (29%) say seeing a low sleep score has made them feel worse.
Who Is Prioritizing Better Sleep?
From longer routines to investing in sleep products, many Americans are putting in the effort to optimize their rest. But who’s leading the charge, and how much are they spending along the way?
Gen Z is at the forefront of the sleepmaxxing trend, with nearly 48% actively working to improve their sleep. Gen X follows at 45%, while millennials and baby boomers trail close behind at 43% each. Women were more likely to engage in sleepmaxxing overall, with 49% actively trying to improve their sleep, compared to 41% of men.
Americans reported getting an average of 7 hours of sleep per night and spending about $75 annually on sleep-related products or tools. While that may not seem excessive, some went far beyond the average. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans (8%) have spent $500 or more on sleep-related products or tools in the past year.
Bedtime and morning routines also varied by gender. On average, women spent 26 minutes winding down for bed, while men took about 22 minutes. In the mornings, women devoted 34 minutes to their routine, compared to 27 minutes for men.
How Americans Are Redesigning Their Bedrooms
Beyond bedtime routines, getting quality rest is also about creating a space that encourages relaxation. From room setup to design, many Americans are reshaping their sleep environment in pursuit of better rest.
Over one-third of Americans (36%) said they’ve changed their bedroom setup to improve sleep. Men were slightly more likely to do so than women (37% vs. 34%). Gen Z led all age groups in bedroom design changes at 39%, followed by baby boomers and millennials at 35%, and Gen X at 34%.
The most common design update was using blackout curtains, chosen by 40% of those who made changes. Others embraced:
- A minimalist layout (21%)
- Special bedding like weighted blankets (19%)
- Cooling mattresses or bedding (17%)
- Ambient lighting (17%)
- Diffusers or aromatherapy devices (16%)
A smaller group enhanced their sleep space with plants for the bedroom (9%), smart home tech (8%), soundproofing (6%), or a calming color palette (6%).
Inspiration for bedroom updates came from many places. Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) credited a friend or partner, while medical advice and YouTube tied at 26%. Others looked to online articles (24%), TikTok (14%), Instagram (10%), magazines (8%), Pinterest (5%), and podcasts or influencers (5%) for guidance.
The Social Cost of Better Sleep
Optimizing rest doesn’t always come without trade-offs. Many Americans are giving up late nights, screen time, and even social plans in their pursuit of high-quality sleep, and for some, it’s taking an emotional toll.
Scrolling on phones topped the list of habits sleepmaxxing people cut back on at 43%, especially among Gen Z (49%) and millennials (45%). In comparison, fewer Gen Xers (39%) and baby boomers (27%) limited their screen use.
Nearly as many Americans (41%) said they’ve given up alcohol or caffeine at night, with almost equal percentages adopting this habit across generations. Other sacrifices made for better sleep included watching TV (38%), spontaneous plans (24%), and working late (18%).
But giving things up came with emotional consequences. Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) said they’ve felt guilty or experienced FOMO (fear of missing out) for prioritizing their sleep routine — especially Gen Z, where 40% admitted to these feelings.
Some Americans (15%) also felt pressure from social media or influencers to perfect their sleep habits or bedroom aesthetic. Gen Z again led the way at 26%, while baby boomers were the least affected at just 3%.
Technology also played a complex role. Over a quarter of Americans (28%) used a sleep tracker or wearable device, but of those, nearly 3 in 10 (29%) said seeing a low sleep score actually made them feel worse.
FAQs
How many hours should I sleep?
Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night, though this can vary based on individual factors like age, activity level, and genetics.
Some people naturally function well with slightly less (around 6 hours) or require slightly more (up to 10 hours), but significant deviations from the recommended range often result in cognitive impairment and health issues over time.
The quality of your sleep matters just as much as the quantity, so focus on creating consistent sleep and wake times that allow you to feel refreshed rather than fixating solely on a specific number of hours.
Why can’t I stay asleep for 8 hours?
Difficulty staying asleep for a full 8 hours can stem from various factors including stress, anxiety, certain medications, caffeine intake, or underlying health conditions like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
Your sleep environment might be contributing to the problem if it’s too hot, too cold, too noisy, or too bright. All of which can trigger awakenings throughout the night.
And disruptions to your circadian rhythm from irregular sleep schedules or excessive screen time before bed can fragment your sleep cycle and make it difficult to maintain continuous sleep throughout the night.
How can I judge if a viral trend on sleeping better is helpful or not?
To judge if a viral sleeping trend is actually helpful, you should first evaluate whether it’s based on scientific evidence rather than just anecdotal claims or marketing hype.
Consider consulting sleep specialists or medical professionals who can provide informed perspectives on whether the trend aligns with established sleep science principles.
Furthermore, pay attention to your own body’s response if you try the trend – improvements in your sleep quality, daytime energy levels, and overall well-being are better indicators of effectiveness than social media popularity.
How do I set up my bedroom for better sleep?
To set up your bedroom for better sleep, start by optimizing the temperature between 60-67°F (15-19°C), as this range promotes better sleep by helping your body’s natural temperature drop during rest.
Invest in blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out disruptive light, including the blue glow from electronics, which can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin.
Create a comfortable sleep surface with a supportive mattress and pillows that maintain proper spinal alignment, and consider using white noise machines or earplugs if you’re sensitive to environmental sounds that might wake you during the night.
How do I build a bedtime routine that helps me sleep?
Building an effective bedtime routine starts with consistency. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends, to help regulate your body’s internal clock.
Include relaxing activities in the 30-60 minutes before bed, such as reading a physical book, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle stretching to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
Avoid stimulating activities like intense exercise, work-related tasks, emotional conversations, and screen time (computers, phones, TV) at least an hour before bed, as the blue light emitted can suppress melatonin production and make falling asleep more difficult.
Does sleepmaxxing work?
“Sleepmaxxing”—the practice of optimizing sleep through various techniques to maximize cognitive and physical benefits—can be effective when it incorporates evidence-based practices like maintaining consistent sleep schedules, creating an ideal sleep environment, and following healthy pre-sleep routines.
The benefits of prioritizing quality sleep are well-documented, including improved cognitive function, enhanced immune response, better emotional regulation, and reduced risk of various health conditions.
However, some extreme sleepmaxxing claims or products lack scientific backing, so it’s important to focus on established sleep hygiene principles rather than trending shortcuts or extreme approaches that promise unrealistic results from manipulating your sleep patterns.
Our Need for Rest and Control
Sleepmaxxing has become a modern trend (especially among younger generations) driven by a mix of wellness goals, tech tools, and social influence. Many Americans are changing their habits, home environments, and even social lives to get better rest.
While the pursuit of perfect sleep can lead to higher life satisfaction and productivity, it’s also creating new pressures. As this trend continues, the balance between sleep optimization and emotional well-being will be one to watch.
Methodology
We surveyed 1,000 Americans to explore the rise of “sleepmaxxing” in American culture and its impact on daily life. The average age was 50; 50% were female, and 50% were male. Generationally, 8% were baby boomers, 21% were Gen X, 51% were millennials, and 20% were Gen Z.
About Amerisleep
Amerisleep is a leader in sleep innovation, offering eco-friendly, high-performance mattresses designed to improve rest and well-being.
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About the author
Rosie Osmun, a Certified Sleep Science Coach, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the health and wellness industry. With a degree in Political Science and Government from Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Rosie's academic achievements provide a solid foundation for her work in sleep and wellness. With over 13 years of experience in the beauty, health, sleep, and wellness industries, Rosie has developed a comprehensive understanding of the science of sleep and its influence on overall health and wellbeing. Her commitment to enhancing sleep quality is reflected in her practical, evidence-based advice and tips. As a regular contributor to the Amerisleep blog, Rosie specializes in reducing back pain while sleeping, optimizing dinners for better sleep, and improving productivity in the mornings. Her articles showcase her fascination with the science of sleep and her dedication to researching and writing about beds. Rosie's contributions to a variety of publications, including Forbes, Bustle, and Healthline, as well as her regular contributions to the Amerisleep blog, underscore her authority in her field. These platforms, recognizing her expertise, rely on her to provide accurate and pertinent information to their readers. Additionally, Rosie's work has been featured in reputable publications like Byrdie, Lifehacker, Men's Journal, EatingWell, and Medical Daily, further solidifying her expertise in the field.
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