On TikTok, videos show people standing on a layer of salt – often Epsom salt, sometimes Himalayan or table salt – and gently moving their feet for several minutes. The practice is dubbed “salt stomping” and is promoted as a nighttime routine to aid sleep.
The procedure is straightforward: a washable surface, such as a large baking tray, is covered with salt. The user then stands on it and performs slow, marching‑in‑place motions for about ten minutes, sometimes while applying skincare products.
When asked by HuffPost UK, Dr. Sophie Bostock, founder of The Sleep Scientist, said she is unaware of any scientific evidence that standing on salt specifically enhances deep sleep. However, she noted that the activity could work as a calming ritual, signalling safety to the brain and reducing stress, which may indirectly support better rest.
She added that comparable benefits can be obtained from other wind‑down habits like reading, yoga or breathing exercises. Any perceived improvement from salt stomping is more likely attributable to the placebo effect: if someone believes the routine helps them sleep, the resulting confidence can shorten sleep onset and extend sleep duration by alleviating bedtime anxiety.