Ever jokingly said your dream job would be getting paid to nap? While it might sound like a far-fetched fantasy, you might be surprised to learn that there are legitimate ways to earn money by catching some Zs or participating in activities where sleep is a key component. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, or even explore unique career paths, let’s dive into how you can turn your downtime into dollars.
So, can I get paid to take naps? And is there a way to get paid for sleeping? The answer to both is a qualified yes! While you likely won’t find a mainstream job titled “Professional Sleeper” with a hefty salary for just dozing off all day, several avenues exist.
Legitimate Ways to Get Paid for Sleeping & Napping:
- Participate in Clinical Sleep Studies:
This is one of the most direct ways to get paid for sleeping. Universities, hospitals, and private research facilities conduct sleep studies to understand sleep disorders, the effects of medications, or how different factors impact sleep quality.
- What it involves: Participants usually stay overnight (or even multiple nights) in a sleep lab, hooked up to monitors that track brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements. Some studies might require you to follow specific sleep schedules or test sleep-related products.
- Potential Pay: Compensation varies widely based on the duration, invasiveness, and requirements of the sleep study. Shorter, less intensive studies might pay a few hundred dollars, while longer or more demanding ones (like those testing new medications or involving extended stays) could pay significantly more. It’s plausible to find a sleep study that pays $2000 or even more for extensive participation.
- How to find them: Search online for “paid sleep studies near me,” check university psychology or medical research department websites, and look for listings on clinical trial databases.
- Become a Mattress Tester or Sleep Product Tester:
Companies that manufacture mattresses, pillows, blankets, and other sleep products often need real people to test mattresses and provide feedback before they hit the market.
- What it involves: You might receive a sleep product to use at home for a specific period and then be required to fill out detailed questionnaires or write reviews about your experience. Some companies might even hire in-house testers.
- Potential Pay: This can range from receiving free sleep products to monetary compensation, depending on the company and the extent of the testing.
- How to find them: Look for “mattress tester jobs,” “product tester opportunities” on company websites (especially mattress brands), or sign up for product tester panels.
- Overnight Caregiver Roles:
While the primary responsibility of an overnight caregiver is to provide care and assistance to an individual (e.g., elderly, disabled), many such roles involve periods where the caregiver is permitted to sleep, provided they are available if needed.
- What it involves: Being present in a client’s home overnight, assisting with needs, and being on-call.
- Potential Pay: This is a regular job, and pay is for the overall responsibility and hours, not specifically for the sleep itself. Rates vary based on location, experience, and client needs.
- House Sitting:
As a house sitter, your main duty is to look after someone’s home (and often pets) while they are away. Sleeping in the house is a natural part of this arrangement.
- What it involves: Staying at a client’s property, maintaining security, caring for pets, and basic upkeep.
- Potential Pay: Rates for house sitting vary greatly depending on location, duration, responsibilities (especially pet care), and your experience. You’re paid for the service of being there and ensuring the home’s safety.
- Niche “Professional Sleeper” Gigs (Often Contests/Promotions):
Occasionally, companies run contests or very short-term marketing campaigns looking for someone to publicly “test” sleep environments or products, sometimes dubbed a “professional sleeper.”
- What it involves: These are rare and highly publicized. For example, a company called Eachnight.com previously ran a promotion looking for “Nap Reviewers” offering $1500, but this was a one-time contest, not an ongoing job. It’s crucial to distinguish these from regular employment. Is “Each Night Get Paid to Nap” a scam? Not necessarily a scam in the traditional sense if it was a legitimate contest, but it’s not a sustainable job. Always research such offers thoroughly.
- Is it possible to get paid for sleeping all day? How can one apply for a job like this? Generally, no, a consistent job just for sleeping all day doesn’t exist in a widespread manner. The “professional sleeper” roles are usually marketing stunts or extremely niche research positions (like some NASA bed rest studies).
- Become a Sleep Coach (Indirect Payment for Sleep Expertise):
While you aren’t paid to sleep, you can get paid for your expertise about sleep. A sleep coach helps clients improve their sleep habits and environments. This requires certification and knowledge about sleep science.
Can Companies Allow Nap Breaks?
Yes, some forward-thinking companies, like Google, Zappos, and Ben & Jerry’s, recognize the productivity benefits of power naps and provide designated napping areas or allow employees to take short nap breaks. Remote workers also often have the flexibility to manage their schedules to include naps if it helps their productivity. However, this is different from being directly paid for the nap itself.
A Word of Caution:
Be wary of any “job” that promises large sums of money online simply for sleeping without requiring participation in a legitimate sleep study or product tester program with a reputable company or research institution. Always do your research before providing personal information or expecting payment.
Beyond Napping: Other Ways to Earn Extra Cash Online
If the idea of making extra cash in flexible ways appeals to you, but participating in a sleep study or finding a mattress tester gig isn’t immediately feasible, there are other simple ways to make money online.
Platforms like SurveyNow allow you to earn money by sharing your opinions on a wide variety of topics, which can sometimes include lifestyle habits or even preferences for sleep-related products. While you won’t be napping, you can conveniently complete surveys from home.
Ready to share your thoughts and earn? Sign up for SurveyNow today!