Are you one of those people who hits the snooze button a dozen times before finally dragging yourself out of bed? Do you spend your workday daydreaming about your cozy bed? What if we told you that you could earn money while indulging in your favorite pastime – sleeping? You can actually get paid to sleep! Sounds like a dream job, doesn’t it? But hold on to your pillows, because this is no fairy tale. Welcome to the world of professional sleepers, where the line between work and rest is as blurry as your vision when you first wake up in the morning.
What is a Professional Sleeper?
A professional sleeper is someone who gets paid to sleep. They usually participate in scientific research that focuses on analyzing sleep patterns or evaluating the quality of sleep-related products. While the duties may vary, the primary responsibility is to sleep. However, it’s not your typical 9-to-5 job. The contracts aren’t consistent, and you might need to sign up for multiple studies and manage your schedule to avoid clashes.
Professional sleepers work in various environments, including test centers, hospitals, or even luxury hotels. There’s always a medical professional nearby for safety. The length and duties of each job vary, making it difficult to set an average salary. However, some studies pay quite well. For instance, NASA paid volunteers $18,000 to lie in bed for 70 days back in 2013.
The Pros and Cons of Being a Professional Sleeper
Like any job, being a professional sleeper has its pros and cons. On the positive side, you get to earn money while doing something you’d be doing anyway – sleeping. Plus, it’s a future-proof profession. As long as humans need sleep, there will be products made to facilitate and improve our sleep, and people will be needed to test those products.
On the downside, the job isn’t as consistent or stable as a regular 9-to-5 job. It’s more of a side hustle or temporary gig than a full-time occupation. Also, you might need to spend long periods away from home, depending on the length of the study.
How to Become a Professional Sleeper
To become a professional sleeper, you need to be at least 18 years old and meet various criteria for scientific studies. These criteria vary from job to job, but you generally need to be in good health and willing to provide your full medical history. For some studies, you may need to have certain conditions such as insomnia. You also need to have a flexible working schedule, as projects can take place at any time of the day.
There are no specific qualifications needed to become a professional sleeper. However, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential. You also need to be well organized and have great attention to detail.
Finding Opportunities as a Professional Sleeper
Finding opportunities as a professional sleeper isn’t as straightforward as other professions. You need to keep an eye out for adverts online and set up Google Alerts for when sleep testing positions open up. You can also contact mattress companies and hotels directly and pitch your sleep testing services. Alternatively, you can set up your own blog in the hope of getting noticed by big companies looking for professional sleep testers.
Networking is also crucial in this field. People who own or manage hotels, scientists and researchers, artists, mattress manufacturers, or even staff at market research companies can be great connections. LinkedIn is a great place to start building these connections.
Applying for Professional Sleeper Jobs
When you come across a job opening that excites you, you need to perfect your application materials – your cover letter and resume. Highlight your transferable skills and explain why the job interests you and what makes you a great research subject. Remember, professional sleepers need to be excellent communicators and well organized.
There isn’t much scope for career development in this field, but you can grow your capital by participating in high-paying studies. Establishing yourself as a professional sleeper and making yourself known to certain companies, clinics, and research centers can help you get rehired for new gigs and get referred to new potential employers.
Turning Zzz’s into Cash
Being a professional sleeper isn’t a conventional career path, but it can be an excellent source of extra income. Even if you can’t make a full-time career out of it, it’s an interesting extracurricular activity. Plus, you’ll always be well-rested! So, if you’re a naturally gifted sleeper, why not pursue available opportunities and fill the gap in the job market? After all, who wouldn’t want to earn money while they sleep?
