Between the big meals, the late nights, and the early mornings, I often find that Christmas is one of the most tiring times of the year. As we head into 2025, I want to get my sleep schedule back on track by any means necessary.
As H&G's resident Sleep Editor, I'm always looking to learn how to sleep better. I'll try anything once, from the Scandinavian sleep method to the military sleep method. To see in the New Year, I asked an expert panel of entrepreneurs, sleep scientists, and medical professionals to tell me about emerging sleep trends for 2025 – and whether they really work.
Sleep trends to try in 2025 – and whether they really work
If you're looking for ways to prioritize sleep in the new year, look no further. Many of these sleep trends are easy and affordable to replicate − some of them are totally free.
1. Sleep divorce
Sleep divorce is one of the more divisive trends in our industry. It's a charged term, but a simple concept: a sleep divorce means sleeping in a different bed, or even a different bedroom, to your partner. You might choose to sleep separately if either you or your partner snores, if one of you is feeling under the weather, or if one of you runs hot and the other runs cold.
'While some might assume that a sleep divorce hinders bedroom intimacy between couples, in fact, it can significantly enhance intimacy, particularly for those in long-term relationships,' argues Dr. Hana Patel, who works as a general practitioner in family medicine. 'Good quality sleep is crucial for both physical and mental wellbeing, increasing energy levels, improving mood, and promoting better health. All of these factors are key to encouraging a healthy libido. Ultimately, when each person in the relationship achieves better sleep, they are generally better equipped to engage in meaningful, intimate moments.'
Neuro technologist Caitlin Shure prefers to think of a sleep divorce as a "sleep honeymoon", 'where couples work together to improve their sleep. Sometimes, this involves creating different sleep environments; but personally, my sleep is worse when my partner is gone. There are plenty of ways couples can collab toward better rest. For example, if temperature differences are a problem, investing in separate duvets (also known as the Scandinavian sleep method) can be a simple yet effective solution. And agreeing to a no-screens-in-the-bedroom rule or setting a shared wind-down routine, can help both parties stay accountable to good sleep hygiene.'
2. Sleep tourism
Sleep tourism is a travel trend that's all about rest and relaxation. Instead of traveling to the town with the most sights to see or the best food to eat, you visit hotels with smart mattresses, personalized pillows, spas, and saunas to help you unwind well.
There are lots of different ways to try sleep tourism. I asked Carly Neumann, a representative for the Six Senses hotel group, to give us a quick overview. She starts with 'Sleep With Six Senses, which is a sleep program offered at multiple Six Senses resorts, ideal for guests who are looking to improve sleep patterns, restore energy levels, de-stress, establish a sustainable sleep routine, feel better equipped to face daily challenges, or pave the way to a healthier and happier life. The program combines advice from a Sleep Doctor with the many benefits of yoga nidra and meditation, relaxing treatments and amenities, wellness therapies, nutrition advice, as well as low intensity training.'
Particular locations, including Six Senses Con Dao and Six Senses Crans-Montana offer sleep retreats for three, five, or seven days, including personalized fitness and wellness activities, spa treatments, and nutritional guidance. 'Additionally, Six Senses Fiji is offering a “Sleep Well Journey”,' Carly tells me. 'This signature journey is based on clinical research and ancient practices to alleviate sleep concerns. It begins with guided meditation and pranayama (breathing exercise) which positively impacts the flow of energy. A full body massage then releases tension and brings the body’s rhythm back into balance, while the facial marma massage stimulates the pineal gland using potent active ingredients. It concludes with the nasya (nasal oil application) which has been used for centuries to relieve sleep concerns.'
Still, you don't need to fly thousands of miles or spend hundreds of dollars to get better sleep. You can create your own sleep retreat at home. Bring out your best bedding, light a calming candle, and settle your stomach with a decent meal before you head to bed.
3. Sunrise alarm clocks
For clinical psychologist Dr. Leah Kaylor, 'the sunrise alarm clock is an absolute game changer, especially for those who wake up very early as well as in those dark winter months.'
'The best sunrise alarm clocks play on our ancient brain circuitry that we are supposed to be awake when the sun is up,' Dr Leah explains. 'We can use a sunrise alarm clock to trick ourselves into waking up and not having to rely on the actual sunrise.'
'I highly recommend a sunrise alarm clock, so much so that I travel with one! It doesn't have to be an expensive one, either. A $20 clock from Amazon (such as the i-CODE Sunrise Alarm Clock) could do the trick. For people who are worried about aesthetics, there are smart bulbs that do the same thing and can be controlled from an app.'
4. Smart earbuds
I spoke to Adam Weissman, who represents Soundcore under Anker Innovations. He told me all about their Sleep A20 earbuds, which are specifically designed to block noise and play preloaded sounds, from white noise to meditations, to help you fall asleep. They're great if you live in urban areas or you suffer from health conditions, such as tinnitus.
You shouldn't just use any old earbuds for sleep. You're looking for a set with a long battery life, at least eight hours, so your buds don't die in the middle of the night. You want earbuds with plenty of cushioning, so you can comfortably sleep on your front, back, or sides.
5. Narrative audio
'One of the most effective trends I’ve adopted is listening to narrative audio to fall asleep.' says neurotechnologist Caitlin Shure. 'In my case, it’s Agatha Christie audiobooks, but this will of course vary from person to person.'
'The idea is to find something stimulating enough that it distracts from your racing thoughts, but not so stimulating that it keeps you awake, Caitlin explains. 'This absolutely works for me – I also see it as part of a broader trend – confirmed by the rise of both sleep-specific earbuds, as well as podcasts and other media designed specifically for helping you sleep.'
6. Sleep trackers
'Wearable sleep trackers are still popular and, for many, can be a powerful tool,' Caitlin continues. 'But data alone doesn’t fix sleep. A tracker’s value lies in its ability to help you act on insights.'
'The best sleep trackers bring awareness without creating anxiety. They nudge you toward better habits, framing sleep as a journey—not a grade. Personally, I have found trackers useful for discovering long-term trends and for understanding how different variables affect my sleep.'
There are so many different types of wearable sleep trackers: bracelets, wristwatches, rings, and so on. Personally, I prefer non-wearable sleep trackers that don't dig into my skin. I tested the Eight Sleep Pod 4 for two months and I was very impressed by the extent of the data collected and the clarity with which it was reported.
7. Mouth tape
'Four years ago, my life fell apart,' entrepreneur Alex Neist tells me in an email interview. 'My snoring was so bad that my wife moved into another bedroom, which caused our intimacy to fade. Plus, I felt like a zombie all day, which wasn't good for the family. My wife and I ended up getting a divorce. I hit rock bottom, so I started asking myself, "what made everything go off the rails?" The first thing I noticed was my garbage sleep.'
'So, I started studying how snoring affects your sleep,' Alex continues. 'I heard about a guy named James Nestor, who went on the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020 and talked about how mouth breathing (the main cause of snoring) ruins your health. I read a book he wrote called Breath and saw that he recommends taping your mouth shut to eliminate snoring and improve your sleep. I had nothing to lose, so I gave it a shot. The next morning, I woke up feeling like a kid. My usual morning grogginess and brain fog were gone and I had 10 times more energy than any days beforehand. I was so inspired that I created my own brand of mouth tape, Hostage Tape, which is stronger and more comfortable than anything on the market.'
'Remember how my family fell apart? One day during the curb-side drop off, my wife walked down to the car and we had a chat. She invited me to her home and we talked more. Fast forward to now, we’re once again sleeping in the same bed. Mouth taping changed my life,' says Alex, 'and it could change yours, too.'
'Mouth tape works,' Alex declares. 'Just look at the facts: Studies show over 60% of Americans are night-time mouth breathers, and since mouth breathing is one of the top causes of sleep deprivation, that means there’s probably around 200 million people in the USA alone who are waking up every morning not feeling so great.
You might read online about sleep supplements: special medication you can take to get more deep sleep at night. Before you start taking supplements, I suggest you speak to a medical professional to learn more about the legitimacy of the product.
