TikTok Trend Urges Standing on Sea Salt Before Bed to Improve Sleep Quality

A viral TikTok trend encourages people to stand barefoot on coarse sea salt for about ten minutes before bedtime, claiming it enhances sleep quality and reduces inflammation. Many users, especially women, share videos of themselves performing this ritual, reporting significant improvements in deep sleep percentages and overall relaxation.

Despite the popularity, medical experts express skepticism about the direct benefits of salt absorption through the feet. Dr. Dorin Tzarfati, chief psychiatrist at Fountain Health NYC, explains that while salts like sea salt and Epsom salt have hydrating and muscle pain-relief properties when used internally or in baths, there is no scientific evidence that minerals such as magnesium are absorbed through the soles to affect the nervous system or hormone levels like serotonin and cortisol.

Experts suggest that the reported benefits stem from the ritual itself rather than the salt. Standing barefoot without distractions, such as phones, offers a moment of calm and signals the brain to transition from stress to rest, thereby improving sleep quality. The tactile sensation of standing on a rough surface helps focus attention on the body and diverts it from intrusive thoughts, promoting mental relaxation.

Specialists recommend combining this practice with other proven nervous system regulation techniques, including meditation, breathing exercises, physical activity, and spending time in nature, to enhance sleep and overall well-being.