There’s truly nothing better than coming home from a long day, changing into your comfiest clothes, lighting a candle, and curling up with a good book or your favorite show. As it turns out, there’s actually a name for doing just this. It’s called cozy maximalism—aka cozymaxxing—and it’s taking social media by storm. 

To find out more about this trend, its benefits, and how to do it (spoiler alert: there’s no wrong way to go about it), we chatted with three mental health experts. Get under your fluffiest throw blanket, cue up your favorite playlist, and enjoy! 

First things first: What is cozymaxxing? 

“Cozymaxxing is a self-soothing practice that involves using your senses to heighten your physical and emotional comfort, so much so that you start to embody a sense of coziness,” says Brooke Schwartz, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. 

A quick glance at the “cozymaxxing” tag on TikTok shows people wrapped in fluffy blankets, dimming their lights, lighting candles, watching their favorite TV shows while cookies bake in the oven—the list goes on. There’s really no wrong way to do it, as long as you’re incorporating practices that make you feel comfortable and calm. 

“Cozymaxxing is such a cool trend because it represents a mindful rebellion against hustle culture and a return to intentional comfort-seeking,” says licensed professional counselor Amanda White, LPC, owner of the Therapy for Women Center. 

What are the benefits of cozymaxxing? 

Aside from helping you feel like you have some semblance of control in your life, cozymaxxing comes with numerous other benefits, according to our experts. 

1. Helps you feel a sense of control

The popularity of cozymaxxing is hitting its stride right in the midst of winter, when shorter days and colder temps can tank our moods and energy levels. But cozymaxxing is useful any time of year, according to licensed mental health counselor, Amber Kinney, LMHC.

You see, making your environment comfortable can help you feel like you have control over something. “You can't control a lot of the stresses that are going on around you in your life or in the world, but we can control our environment to a point,” Kinney says. “[Cozymaxxing] just helps people feel like they're doing something that they can focus their energy on.”

By accumulating positive experiences and sensations, cozymaxxing can help redirect your attention away from negative thoughts and feelings and increase your ability to be mindful of the present moment, according to Schwartz. 

2. Gives you something to look forward to

Cozymaxxing can help build excitement and anticipation, which can be especially effective in combating FOMO, depression, and loneliness, according to Schwartz. “Sometimes just knowing a blanket pile is waiting for you at home after a long day of work is enough to propel you through a tough day,” she says. 

3. Reduces stress 

When you’re in a comfortable environment, that triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, which governs your rest-and-digest response. This helps lower cortisol (your stress hormone) levels and promotes relaxation, according to White. “When we're cozy, we're essentially sending signals to our brain and body that we're safe, which can help reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and promote better sleep quality,” she says. 

4. Supports better sleep

Opting to practice cozymaxxing close to bedtime can help enhance the quality of your zzzs, White says. It may not be a surprise that your mental health can affect your sleep quality. Stress and anxiety, in particular, are linked to poor sleep, according to a review in The Journal of Clinical Medicine.¹ Another study published in Infant Behavior and Development found that babies who had a consistent bedtime routine involving things like a bath, massage, or quiet activities had fewer sleep disturbances than infants who didn’t.²

How to start cozymaxxing your life

Both Schwartz and Kinney agree that the easiest way to begin incorporating cozy maximalism into your life is by doing things that feel calming or comforting to each of the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of cozymaxxing ideas you might try:

• Create layered lighting with multiple sources (table lamps, string lights, candles) rather than harsh overheads
• Light candles or incense
• Incorporate different textures through soft throws, plush pillows, and varied textiles
• Use calming scents like lavender, vanilla, or cedarwood through candles or essential oils
• Come up with an evening wind-down ritual with soft music
• Practice mindful bathing rituals with bath salts
• Do low-impact movement, like cozy cardio, stretching, or yoga, while wearing comfortable clothes
• Drink your favorite nighttime beverages, like tea or probiotic soda
• Make or order your favorite comfort food 
• Write down your thoughts in a journal
• Try a new art or craft, such as painting or crocheting

The bottom line 

Cozymaxxing is a great way to unwind and practice self-care with your favorite activities. (For example, you might like knitting while wrapped in your favorite blanket as a candle you love slowly burns in the background.) But it’s important not to get too caught up in the details. 

“Don't feel like you have to buy all the things that are shown in those TikTok videos to practice cozymaxxing because you may see these kinds of videos and feel envious of what you see. But that’s not the point of true self-care,” Kinney says. “What works for one person might not work for another. Try different things and see what works for you, but I really want people to not feel pressured to have to have everything perfect.”

It's also important to note that it can be tough to fully relax if you’re not used to doing so, Schwartz says. If this feels like you, getting support from a trusted loved one or mental health professional can help you navigate what's causing your inability to rest and how to overcome these feelings.