Many Britons are still searching for a better night’s sleep (Image: Getty Images)
Almost half of UK adults have experimented with viral “sleep hacks” spotted on social media over the past year, ranging from cutting out screens before bedtime to stranger trends such as eating kiwi fruit at night or putting onions in their socks.
Research involving 2,000 adults in the UK found that people tried an average of two different online sleep tips during the last 12 months. The most popular methods were avoiding blue light before bed, tried by 39%, followed by listening to white noise, brown noise or other “sleep” sounds at 31%, and drinking herbal tea at 28%.
Some respondents also turned to influencer-backed bedtime trends, including “sleepy girl” mocktails, tart cherry juice and eating kiwi before going to sleep. A smaller group even said they had tested the unusual practice of wearing onions in their socks overnight.
The findings were part of a broader international survey of 13,000 adults across 12 countries, which suggested that Britons are more hesitant than many others when it comes to trying sleep trends promoted online.
In the UK, 48% of adults said they had tested a sleep hack in the past year, well below the global average of 71%. Higher levels of uptake were recorded in countries including the United States, Australia, France and China.
However, while social media continues to shape wellness habits and bedtime routines, the survey indicates that many widely shared sleep tips fail to deliver clear benefits for the majority of people who try them.
Just 31% of those who avoided blue light or screens before bed said it improved their sleep. Meanwhile, 26% said white noise made a difference, 17% reported benefits from magnesium sprays, oils or supplements, and only 14% found sleep-tracking devices effective.
The more viral trends scored lowest. Just 5% said “sleepy girl” mocktails, tart cherry juice or eating kiwi before bed worked for them, dropping to 4% among those who tried sleeping with onions in their socks.
Avoiding blue light before bed is one of the most popular ‘hacks’ (Image: Getty Images)
The OnePoll research also found 16% had followed a sleep trend and later discovered it wasn’t backed by science.
Two-thirds (66%) of UK adults said social media makes wellness advice harder to trust. Even so, 26% admitted they have followed online sleep tips despite doubting their own ability to spot misinformation.
Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo said: “It is important to give ourselves the best chance of a successful night’s sleep as we wind down in the evenings.
“Sorting fact from fiction and uncovering which viral fads are worth your time can feel like a minefield.
“While some popular sleep hacks have a scientific basis, many are oversimplified, exaggerated or simply ineffective.”
The findings come as Arezzolo partners with Novotel to launch a sleep masterclass as part of the hotel chain’s worldwide Longevity Week, running 7–13 September.
Other partners include Olympic surf champion Kauli Vaast, food creator and recipe developer Alfie Steiner, Paris-Saint Germain Legend and ex-footballer Javier Pastore and wildlife photographer and marine biologist Kaushiik Subramaniam.
Arezzolo added: “We want to help people take a more informed approach to wellbeing by sharing practical, science-backed habits that can make a real difference to everyday health.
“Good sleep isn’t about finding a miracle cure or viral shortcut. It’s about building sustainable routines that work for you and understanding that the choices you make each day can have a lasting impact on your long-term wellbeing.
“That’s why the week will explore how small, everyday choices around eating, sleeping, moving and connecting with others can support better long-term wellbeing.
“With practical advice and inspiration from the Novotel 37 Collective – a team of experts sharing simple, achievable ways to help people sleep better, feel better and support healthier, longer lives.”
The study also found growing interest in long-term health, with 65% saying they’re more focused on it than five years ago and 69% believing enough sleep is vital for a longer, healthier life. But many are struggling.
More than half (56%) said they wouldn’t describe their current sleep pattern as good quality, and 39% said they wish they were better at getting enough sleep.
