On Saturday (May 18), South Koreans shut their eyes and got comfortable for a sleeping contest aimed at raising awareness on the importance of rest in a nation that scores among the lowest sleep quality in the world.
The ‘Power Nap Contest’ was held at the Han River Park in Seoul where about a hundred people, some dressed in sleepwear, gathered to get some competitive shut-eye for one hour and 30 minutes.
Various distractions such as feather tickling, whispering and mosquito noises were used to challenge the participants.
Heart rate measurements were taken to determine the winner – the larger the deviation between the heart rate before and during the nap, the better the sleep quality.
The organiser said the event aims to provide sleep-deprived individuals a space to take a break.
For those who took part, they are hoping that this will bring more attention to the need for better sleep habits in South Korea.
“Our country is known for its competitive society, and the importance of sleep seems to be undervalued,” said Son Ji-hong, 24, who came to the contest with a neck pillow and sunglasses.
According to South Korea’s National Assembly, the country records the lowest average sleep duration among OECD nations, with citizens averaging just 7 hours and 41 minutes of sleep per night, significantly lower than the OECD average of 8 hours and 22 minutes.
(Reuters)
