Outdoor sleeping competition in China goes viral with cash prizes up for the best sleepers

by

A sleep competition in China is gaining popularity online, rewarding people for their ability to fall asleep quickly and deeply.

Shanghai’s Dongping National Forest Park is hosting the “Forest Sleep Challenge” to raise awareness about the value of getting enough rest, especially as many people struggle with long workdays and a lack of sleep.

People were invited to relax and sleep naturally in a quiet setting, without being woken by alarms or interruptions. The event gained popularity online, especially after its catchy slogan – “The only goal is to sleep until you wake up on your own” – went viral on Chinese social media.

Contest gives cash prizes for sleeping

Throughout the competition, participants are carefully watched with devices that track their sleep. There are firm rules: no phones, talking, or eating, and everyone must stay on their mattress to remain eligible.

The competition judges success based on how well you sleep, not just how long. Devices will track things like deep sleep to determine the winners. The grand prize is about $400, and there will also be awards for achievements like falling asleep quickest.

You can get out of bed if you need to, like to go to the bathroom, but leaving the bed means you’re no longer participating in the challenge. So, it’s a test of how well you can relax and how long you can hold it!

Okay, so the event organizers told us that if the weather turns bad, they’re going to put up these awesome glamping tents. Basically, we won’t have to worry about getting soaked if we want to chill out and enjoy the forest – we can stay dry and comfy instead!

This event is happening as many workers are so tired they’re using vacation days just to get enough sleep. A recent survey of over 1,200 Americans revealed that more than a third have taken time off work specifically to rest at home.

Read More

2026-03-18 15:52