Ever heard of winning a prize just for sleeping? This dream has become a reality for Saishwari Patil, an investment banker from Bengaluru, who won a staggering ₹9 lakh for being crowned the ‘Sleep Champion’ in Wakefit’s third season of its innovative sleep internship programme. Her mother’s disbelief was palpable when Saishwari shared the news, exclaiming, “Aise kaise hosakta hai” (How is this even possible?).
The Sleep Internship Programme
The sleep internship programme that Saishwari participated in was designed for individuals who prioritise sleep but struggle to maintain a consistent routine amid the chaos of modern life. The programme required participants to sleep for eight to nine hours every night and take a 20-minute nap during the day.
Each selected intern was provided with a high-quality mattress and a wearable sleep tracker to monitor and enhance their sleep habits. Furthermore, participants attended regular sessions with sleep mentors to improve their sleep patterns and increase their chances of being crowned “Sleep Champions.”
The Need for Better Sleep
The competition stems from a growing concern over the health issues arising from poor sleep habits, especially among young adults. With sedentary lifestyles, excessive social media use, and lack of nutritious diets, sleep deprivation has become a concerning trend. Wakefit’s seventh edition of The Great Indian Sleep Scorecard 2024 revealed that nearly 50% of Indians feel exhausted upon waking. Kunal Dubey, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Wakefit, noted that the company aims to rekindle India’s relationship with sleep through initiatives like this internship, which incentivises participants with stipends.
Over the three seasons of the programme, more than 10 lakh people registered, leading to the selection of 51 interns who collectively earned ₹63 lakh in stipends.
Discipline in Sleep
Saishwari emphasised that adopting a strict sleep routine requires discipline. “To achieve a good average sleep score, maintaining consistent wake-up and sleep times is essential. This means cutting down on late-night activities like binge-watching and scrolling through social media. It’s challenging to break these habits, but the rewards are worth it,” she told The Hindu.
She also acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her sleep routine, and this internship helped her learn the importance of discipline in sleeping well.
Quality Over Quantity
The Wakefit programme not only focused on the duration of sleep but also on achieving a relaxed state of mind. Saishwari remarked that quality sleep is crucial for reaping health benefits. “The thought of improving my sleep score during the internship was a bit stressful. It’s a crazy concept—preparing for exams is one thing, but how do you prepare to sleep well? On the finale day, my goal was to stay relaxed and be present,” she recalled.
Sharing Insights on Sleep
Initially participating out of curiosity, Saishwari didn’t expect to win but soon realised the significance of deep sleep. “I learned about different sleep cycles and their impact on well-being. Quality sleep affects concentration, productivity, and emotional resilience,” she explained.
Deep sleep is essential for physical repair, immune system strengthening, and clearing metabolic waste from the brain, while REM sleep is vital for memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
Saishwari also shared helpful tips for better sleep, including listening to calming meditative music, taking a warm shower an hour before bed, and following a consistent bedtime routine. Moving forward, she intends to continue advocating for the importance of sleep and explore more sleep strategies.