Saishwari Patil, an investment banker from Bengaluru, stunned her friend’s mother when she shared the news of winning ₹9 lakh for sleeping. And who wouldn’t be surprised? After all, it’s not every day you hear about someone making money simply by catching up on sleep.

Saishwari earned this impressive sum by participating in Wakefit’s Sleep Internship program, a unique initiative designed for individuals struggling to balance their sleep with everyday life demands. The program’s third season saw 12 participants, including Saishwari, chosen to prioritize sleep as part of their daily routine. The goal was simple: to sleep for eight to nine hours every night for a chance to win the coveted title of 'Sleep Champion.'

Participants were encouraged to take 20-minute power naps during the day. Each intern received a premium mattress and a contactless sleep tracker to monitor and optimize their sleep patterns. The program wasn’t all about resting, though. Regular workshops, led by experienced sleep mentors, were organized to help interns improve their sleep hygiene and better their chances of winning.

The program, launched by Bangalore-based start-up Wakefit, has gained immense popularity over the years. Across three seasons, it has received over 10 lakh registrations, and 51 interns have collectively earned ₹63 lakh in stipends. According to Wakefit’s 2024 Sleep Scorecard, nearly 50% of Indians wake up feeling tired, with factors such as long working hours, stress, and poor sleep environments contributing to this sleep crisis.

Kunal Dubey, Wakefit's Chief Marketing Officer, explains, “The sleep internship program is a fun way to encourage people to prioritize their sleep by offering them an attractive stipend.”

Though the idea of getting paid to sleep sounds like a dream come true, there was more to it than just resting. Interns had to stick to a strict sleep schedule and participate in sleep-related activities. “You have to be disciplined,” Saishwari shared. “To maintain a good sleep score, you need to keep consistent wake-up and sleep times, which means cutting back on late-night habits like binge-watching and scrolling through social media.”

The competition’s twist was that while most contests require participants to be energetic and pumped, this one demanded deep relaxation. Ironically, the pressure to win could sometimes make sleeping harder. “The thought of improving my sleep score was stressful at times,” Saishwari admitted. “You can prepare for exams, but how do you prepare to sleep well?”

Reflecting on her experience, she mentioned how the internship made her appreciate the science of sleep. “I learned a lot about sleep cycles and their importance for overall health. Deep sleep helps the body recover, and REM sleep is essential for memory and emotional well-being,” she said.

Her workplace was also supportive of her sleep schedule during the program, which made a big difference. What started as a casual, almost random application turned into a transformative journey for Saishwari, who now advocates for the importance of good sleep.

“I’m fascinated by sleep science,” she concluded. “I plan to keep learning and share what I’ve gained from this experience with others.”

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)