A new trend called “mouth taping” is sweeping Social Media. You can see all over TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube. We thought we would elaborate on why people are doing it and the benefits.
- Sleeping with your mouth closed reduces the risk of snoring and sleep apnea
- Many health issues are linked to poor sleep and mouth breathing
There is a new viral trend on TikTok and other social media platforms. Users are raving that their sleep has improved. The trend is called mouth or sleep taping. Videos using the hashtag #mouthtaping have racked up nearly 30 million views. Users are claiming that sleep taping or mouth taping changed their lives! There are also health influencers like Stanford University Neurosurgeon Andrew Huberman promoting this trend. New York Times reporter James Nestor also wrote a bestselling book on the risks of mouth breathing.
“Mouth taping consists of using tape to keep the lips together during sleep,” says Carleara Weiss, PhD, MS, RN. A fairly straightforward practice.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults ages 18 to 60 log at least 7 seven hours of sleep per night. A 2019 study suggests that more than one-third of Americans don’t sleep enough.
TikTokers are also praising mouth taping for reducing snoring. Snoring can negatively affect the quality of sleep for the snorer and partner. About 40% of adult men snore consistently compared to 24% of women (AASM).
Good sleep hygiene is essential for mental and physical health. The CDC says it can lower the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and mental health issues. Given this, it's unsurprising that those with sleep issues are trying sleep tape.
Other Ways to Improve Sleep
Good sleep hygiene is essential for our wellbeing, but experts stress combining sleep tape with other good sleep habits. They suggest lifestyle changes such as:
-Going to sleep at a consistent time
-Creating a bedtime routine focusing on relaxing
-Reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption more than six hours before bed
Weiss says consistent sleep cycles can help individuals sustain a natural rhythm and improve sleep quality. She recommends getting light exposure every morning to “‘jump-start’ the biological clock.
Finally, getting better sleep won’t happen immediately — be patient with yourself and start changing your habits slowly. Compound those good habits and over time they will transform your sleep and health.
“Developing good sleep hygiene takes time and is something you can ease into,” says Cerrone.