With the nights drawing in and social calendars busier than ever, it’s no wonder that recent searches for ‘sleep hygiene’ are up 70% year on year
As the winter season rolls in, bringing shorter days and longer nights, your body naturally craves more sleep.
With social calendars filling up during this festive period, it’s no surprise that many of us are feeling a tad more tired than usual. Recent Google trends show a surge in searches for ‘sleep hygiene’, indicating that folks are keen to improve their slumber.
For those struggling to catch some quality Z’s, the experts at Electric Tobacconist have endorsed a TikTok sleep hack that they claim is worth giving a shot – and they’ve even broken down the science behind it. The remedy in question? Drinking lettuce water. This unconventional sleep aid has been lauded for its soothing effects and simplicity.
Prepared by infusing lettuce leaves in hot water, much like brewing a cuppa, this concoction is thought to release natural compounds such as lactucarium, which could help promote relaxation and alleviate stress. It’s a comforting, all-natural solution for unwinding, particularly on those frosty winter evenings, reports Surrey Live.
The experts elaborated: “Winter often disrupts sleep with shorter daylight hours, increased stress, and a desire for deeper rest. Drinking lettuce water before bed can help soothe the nervous system, making it easier to drift off despite seasonal challenges. Its warm, herbal nature also adds a cosy ritual to your night time routine, ideal for combating the cold and creating a sense of calm.”
Lettuce water is quickly gaining traction as a simple and all-natural sleep aid, with numerous social media users endorsing its snooze-promoting properties. Amid the festive rush or just seeking a soothing night-time beverage, this hack seems an easy pick.
It was the talk of TikTok when one user, Elliott, tasted Internet fame by sharing his lettuce water experience, declaring: “It tastes exactly how you think it would, lettuce water.” Struggling to nod off before the wee hours of 2 or 3am, Elliott decided to hit the hay early. A mere 20 minutes later, he felt his eyelids grow heavy.
The next morning, his verdict was clear: “Yes, that worked.” He hailed the technique as “insane”. Sweetening the strange concoction, another said they added honey to their leafy brew, pronouncing: “It’s pretty good.”
Meanwhile, TikTok matriarch @famekillz22 suggested it’s also a winner for weary toddlers’ bedtimes but cautioned against nightly use. She posted: “I have only done this three times since he [her son] was one and a half to now being 2 and a half years old. I only do this method when I am desperate for all of us to go to be early to get more sleep. It hasn’t failed me once.”