Can Sleepmaxxing Make Your Sleep Worse? with Dr. Meredith Broderick episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 26, 2026 · 42 MIN

Can Sleepmaxxing Make Your Sleep Worse? with Dr. Meredith Broderick

from In Focus · host Dr. Rupa Wong

You’re getting enough hours, following every sleepmaxxing rule, and checking your sleep tracker each morning, but you still don’t feel rested. Is your routine the problem, can trying too hard make insomnia worse, or should you be evaluated for a sleep disorder? Dr. Rupa Wong talks with triple board-certified sleep neurologist Dr. Meredith Broderick about how to sleep better without becoming trapped by sleep scores, supplements, and viral advice. They examine melatonin, mouth taping, screens, blue light, sleep trackers, sleep apnea, and the habits that help children and teenagers sleep. Which strategies are supported by evidence, and which could distract you from the real reason you are not sleeping well? IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Sleepmaxxing and the Search for Better Sleep 01:25 Meet Dr. Meredith Broderick 02:17 What Is Behavioral Sleep Medicine? 04:01 Why Sleep Medicine Is Preventive Care 06:00 How Do Screens Affect Sleep? 07:50 How Does Blue Light Affect Sleep? 09:41 Do Blue Light Glasses and Dark Mode Work? 10:41 Why Are Adults Trying to Optimize Sleep? 11:45 What Is Sleepmaxxing? 12:17 What Is Orthosomnia? 13:37 Can You Trust Your Sleep Tracker? 16:11 Is Mouth Taping Safe? 17:33 Does the Sleepy Girl Mocktail Work? 18:27 Does Melatonin Help You Sleep? 19:56 Should You Get Tested for Sleep Apnea? 20:51 Can Palate Expansion Help Children Breathe Better? 23:25 Can Sleep Problems Look Like ADHD? 24:16 How Can Parents Build Better Sleep Habits? 25:46 Why Are Some People Night Owls? 27:46 Is Melatonin Safe for Kids? 30:00 How Can Parents Help Teenagers Sleep Better? 32:10 Should Teenagers Sleep In on Weekends? 33:23 How Do Parents Model Healthy Sleep? 35:13 Is Sleeping Separately Bad for Your Relationship? 36:57 Is Hitting Snooze Bad for You? 37:42 What Is the Best Sleep Position? 38:14 Are Naps Good for You? 39:05 When Should You Stop Consuming Caffeine? 40:01 Are Sleep Supplements Worth It? 40:17 Who Should Be Screened for Sleep Apnea? GUEST RESOURCES: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepneurologist/ Website: https://soundsleepguru.com/about/?srsltid=AfmBOoox0aU74kYQ88AjZ19dJFWu3IOKZBn1-351jUSeEsogHfYYPQbb IN FOCUS WITH DR. RUPA WONG: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ6yGQlJEBHouNHGZJgsAPspu4nJhrDRd&si=-G1WPggk3LzjHyz9  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-focus/id1569697237  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3en4olHWr48cyWaUikrcje?si=c606ebf291294d03  HOST RESOURCES: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrupawong  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRupaWong  Newsletter: https://www.drrupawong.com/sign-up  Become a Patient: https://www.honolulueyeclinic.com  Earn FREE CE/CME Credits: https://learnatpinnacle.com This episode is brought to you by ⁠The Pinnacle Podcast Network⁠!  ABOUT DR. RUPA WONG: Rupa Wong, MD is an Ivy League trained board certified pediatric ophthalmologist and adult strabismus surgeon, wife, mom to 3 kids, entrepreneur, and the managing partner of Honolulu Eye Clinic for the past 15 years. She is passionate about helping the modern working mom focus on what matters most as she balances her ambition, her career, her family, and herself.  Disclaimer: Rupa Wong, MD, is a doctor, but she is not your doctor. This content is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 26, 2026

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