A recent study at the University of Pittsburgh has introduced a novel concept: paying students to sleep. Participants received $5 for each night they achieved over seven hours of sleep. This initiative led to an average increase of 19 minutes of sleep per night among those incentivised, and they reached the optimal sleep target on 26% more nights compared to their peers without financial rewards.
The implications of this study extend beyond just sleep duration. Students who received payments also experienced a modest improvement in their academic performance, with their GPA rising by an average of 0.08 points. Notably, first-year students showed even greater benefits, suggesting that sleep incentives could be particularly effective for those transitioning to university life.
While the financial incentive was key, participants also used sleep trackers that provided reminders and feedback. However, these tools alone had minimal impact, highlighting the importance of monetary motivation in behaviour change. Interestingly, some benefits persisted even after the payments ceased, with students continuing to sleep eight minutes more on average and maintaining higher grades in subsequent semesters.
This study raises questions about the potential for similar strategies in the UK, where sleep deprivation is a growing concern. As universities grapple with student wellbeing, could financial incentives for better sleep become a viable solution to enhance both health and academic outcomes?
Source: The Guardian
