"Wearing a T-shirt wrapped tightly around the face helps me sleep well"… American woman's experience goes viral

"'Podaegi'-like effect to provide stability"
However, caution is needed for safety risks such as suffocation

A woman’s experience of wrapping her face with a sweatshirt before going to bed and sleeping deeply is becoming a hot topic.

A TikTok video introducing a method of sleeping with a sweatshirt wrapped around the face, claiming it is effective for deep sleep, has become a sensation with over 24 million views. [Image source=TikTok capture]

On the 4th (local time), the New York Post reported that TikToker Kelly Gailey from Mississippi posted a video in January showing her wrapping her face with a sweatshirt, saying, "It was a sleep method I chose out of desperation, but surprisingly it worked." In the video, Gailey folds the sweatshirt in half, covers her eyes with the body part of the shirt, and lies down on the bed. Then, she wraps her chin and ears with her arms and the sleeves, tying it behind her head to secure it. Gailey described this sleep method as "the best way for deep sleep," adding, "It was so comfortable that I had the best sleep of my life."

The video went viral with 24 million views. On TikTok, many videos imitating Gailey’s sleep method were uploaded one after another. Some people expressed concerns about Gailey’s ‘bizarre’ sleep method, saying, "Won’t the sweatshirt obstruct breathing and cause suffocation during sleep?" and "Sleeping like this might cause waking up in a panic due to suffocation." However, experts explained that there is a scientific reason why Gailey’s sleep method helps achieve deep sleep.

A TikTok video introducing a method of sleeping with a sweatshirt wrapped around the face, claiming it is effective for deep sleep, has become a sensation with over 24 million views. [Image source=TikTok capture]

Sleep specialist Dr. Jessica Andrade said that Gailey’s sweatshirt has an effect similar to a swaddle. Just as wrapping a child in a thick fabric makes the child feel secure, the sweatshirt blocks out light and sound, reducing anxiety. Dr. Andrade explained, "The slight pressure applied by the sweatshirt can create a cocoon-like effect similar to a weighted blanket," adding, "This has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality for some people."

However, the risk of suffocation cannot be ruled out. Another sleep expert, Shelby Harris, advised, "Do not tie the clothes too tightly and always check that the clothing does not interfere with breathing," adding, "If you feel uncomfortable or do not achieve the desired effect, it is better to try other methods for good sleep."

Meanwhile, in addition to blocking out light and sound, correcting sleep habits is important for good sleep. Methods such as ▲waking up at the same time every day ▲not staying in bed awake for long periods ▲learning relaxation techniques ▲creating a comfortable sleeping environment can be practiced.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.