Saishwari Patil, an investment banker, recently bagged Rs 9 lakh in a unique internship where the main task was to sleep. She earned the title of ‘Sleep Champion’ in Wakefit’s third season of their sleep internship program.
This program, designed for people struggling with proper rest, required participants to sleep at least eight to nine hours a night. Saishwari was one of twelve chosen “sleep interns,” each provided with a premium mattress and a contactless sleep tracker to monitor their sleeping patterns. The interns also attended workshops led by sleep experts to improve their habits.
The selection process was rigorous, starting with a screening of applications to form a shortlist. Next, a video resume round allowed candidates to express their love for sleep. Those who advanced to the final stage underwent personal interviews to assess their genuine interest in enhancing sleep quality.
Wakefit’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kunal Dubey, explained the company’s goal: “The sleep internship program is the company’s tongue-in-cheek way to rekindle India’s relationship with sleep by incentivising the interns with a stipend.” The initiative came in response to alarming data from The Great Indian Sleep Scorecard 2024, which revealed that nearly half of Indians wake up feeling fatigued.
Saishwari spoke to The Hindu about the discipline required for the internship: “To get a good average score, you need to maintain consistent wake-up and sleep times. This means cutting down on late-night activities like binge-watching and scrolling through social media.” She admitted it was tough to break these habits but found the process rewarding, especially since her job as an auditor, which demanded long hours, had previously disrupted her sleep routine.
While the internship aimed to improve sleep quality, it also introduced a competitive element. Saishwari confessed that the pressure to boost her sleep score sometimes added stress: “The thought of improving my sleep score during the internship was a bit stressful. On the day of the finale, my goal was to stay relaxed and present in the moment.”
Through her experience, Saishwari gained insights into the science of sleep. She shared that poor-quality sleep can negatively impact focus, productivity, and emotional well-being. Her sleep tips include listening to meditative music, showering before bed, and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine.
Saishwari’s journey, which began out of curiosity, grew into a passion for understanding sleep better. She expressed her excitement about continuing to explore sleep strategies, saying, “This internship introduced me to the fascinating world of sleep science.”
