If you’re tired of tossing and turning at night, counting sheep in your mind until the wee hours of the morning, then you are not the only one who longs for a restful snooze. Who doesn’t want to wake up feeling refreshed, ready to face the day ahead? Well, if you’re a victim of sleepless nights too, then it’s time you gave the sleep syncing trend a try.
The sleep syncing TikTok trend might be your ticket to better – and more importantly, a restful – sleep and well-being. We all need our required amount of sleep – and I’m not talking just about the hours of sleep you get every night. While getting 7–8 hours of sleep is important, it’s equally crucial to get quality sleep.
Ignoring our sleep health can put us at risk of developing chronic issues such as high blood pressure, mental distress, heart diseases, and even anxiety and eventually, insomnia. In this blog, I’ll be exploring more about the sleep syncing TikTok trend, how it works, its benefits, and how you can practice this social media trend.
The Origins of the Sleep Syncing Trend
Unlike what you might believe, sleep syncing is a practice rooted in science. Our bodies follow a natural rhythm, known as the circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm or internal body clock works to tell us when to sleep and when to wake up. This sleep syncing trend lends wisdom from this internal body clock concept mixed with our busy lifestyle. In short, it’s all about aligning your internal clock with your day-to-day schedule.
Now, you may wonder “How is sleep syncing different from other sleep techniques?”
Well, unlike other sleep techniques and hacks, the sleep syncing technique follows your body’s natural circadian rhythm. When you allow your body to align with your internal clock and daily routine, you can boost energy and say bye-bye to the afternoon slump.
How Does Sleep Syncing Work?
The idea behind sleep syncing is to establish a sleep routine that matches your body’s internal clock. If, “I can’t sleep” is your common Google inquiry, then this one trend is something you need to give a try. Sleep syncing might sound just like any other sleep hack or technique, but this trend has won people’s hearts for a reason. It works better than any other sleep technique. What are the reasons?
Sleep syncing helps you wake up feeling refreshed and helps you stay sharper and more focused throughout the day. When you learn to align your internal body clock with your day-to-day schedule, then you can create a solid sleep routine, making it easier for you to sleep and wake up. And the best part is that it’s all natural – no added supplements to aid sleep!
Because you get sleep as you need it, you live with an improved mood, improved productivity, and reduced risk of sleep-related issues like insomnia and daytime sleepiness. By sleeping and waking up at the same time every day, you can essentially train your body to understand its natural sleep patterns, resulting in restful and refreshed sleep.
How to Practice Sleep Syncing?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the sleep syncing trend, let’s see how you can practice this sleep technique to improve your sleep and overall health;
- Figure out your natural circadian rhythm: Pay attention to your body’s natural sleep cues for a week or two. Keep notes in a journal to see when you usually get sleepy and when you naturally wake up the next day. This will help you figure out your natural body clock.
- Set a regular schedule: Based on your above discoveries, you can now create a regular sleep schedule that aligns with your body’s natural circadian cycle. When you set a schedule, stick to it.
- Establish bedtime routines: These bedtime routines can act like appetizers before the main course aka sleep. These routines can include reading a book (not an e-book), meditating before bed, or drinking a warm, caffeine-free beverage. Make sure that during these routines, you keep your electronic devices off and away.
- Wake up gently: To make sure this sleep syncing works, you need to make waking up an enjoyable experience. Try using gentle alarm sounds or placing your alarm clock or phone away from your bedside table. Keeping your alarm out of reach can help resist the urge to snooze.
- Use a sleep tracker: You can also use sleep tracker apps or journals to keep track of your sleep schedule. Sleep trackers can also offer insightful information on your sleep patterns and give tips to improve your sleep further.
Factors Sleep Syncing May Not Work For You
While sleep syncing can be a game-changer for many, it may not work for everyone. If you can’t sleep or are unable to get restful sleep even after sleep syncing, then here are some factors that may be hindering your sleep;
- You are a shift worker. If your work schedule is constantly changing, then it can be tough to maintain a regular sleep pattern.
- Certain medical conditions or medications you take can also interfere with your circadian rhythm. To prevent this, you can consult a professional.
- You are a night owl and prefer nighttime to daytime. If you are a night owl then you may find it challenging to adjust your sleep schedule.
- Certain sleep disorders can also prevent you from getting restful sleep. Disorders such as delayed sleep phase syndrome or advanced sleep phase syndrome among others can disrupt your sleep patterns, making it harder for you to sleep sync.
Tips to Reset Your Circadian Rhythm
If you’ve been having sleep troubles at night and your internal clock is not working as it’s supposed to, then don’t fret. I have some tips for you to reset your circadian rhythm;
- Try to gradually shift your sleep schedule by 15–30 minutes earlier each night until you reach your desired bedtime and wake-up time. You need to maintain this sleep schedule consistently – yes, even on the weekends. Only when you consistently wake up and sleep at the same time every day, can your sleep cycle sync.
- Consider using a light therapy box that mimics natural sunlight to help reset your sleep cycle. If you can get natural sunlight exposure during the day, great! But if you can’t, then think about investing in a light therapy box or SAD Lamps.
- Limit daytime naps and if you have to nap, then keep them short. Do not nap close to your bedtime otherwise, it will throw your sleep cycle in disarray, further making it harder for you to sleep naturally.
- Keep your sleep environment sleep-friendly. This means that when you go to bed, keep the temperature of the room down, keep the curtains or blinds closed to avoid artificial light, and avoid listening to loud music or watching TV before bed.
- Have a wind-down routine. Follow the same routine or do the same activities every night before bed. This will help establish a pattern. Don’t try any activities that require a lot of energy – mental and physical. Keep the activities as gentle as possible.
- Keep yourself physically active during the day. Physical activity during the day can tire you out when it’s time to sleep.
Should You Try The Sleep Syncing Trend?
There you have it – the secrets of healthy sleep through the sleep-syncing trend. I would recommend you give the sleep-syncing trend a try. It’s unlike other sleep hacks and techniques but it works as well as any other hack. Sleep syncing is a simple way to tune your body’s natural circadian rhythms with your day-to-day routines. Once you learn to sync your internal clock with your sleep schedule, you can ensure a restful and refreshing snooze.
Give the sleep-syncing trend a try and soon, you’ll be sleeping like a baby – no more tossing and turning and counting sheep!
