In a world dominated by smartphones,a woman in Chongqing,China,recently proved that disconnecting can be both rewarding and surprisingly achievable. She won 10,000 yuan (approximately US$1,400) by staying off her mobile phone for a full eight hours without showing any signs of anxiety.
The unusual competition, organized by a mattress and bedding shop on November 29th, saw ten finalists chosen from 100 applicants. The challenge? To lie on a designated bed for eight hours without any access to mobile phones or other electronic devices.
Contestants were allowed brief toilet breaks and were provided with food and drinks to consume in bed. To ensure a level playing field, all electronics, including tablets and laptops, were surrendered before the competition began. Older phones with only calling capabilities were available for emergencies.
Strict rules were in place, requiring participants to stay awake and anxiety-free. Wrist straps monitored their sleep quality and stress levels throughout the challenge. Most contestants passed the time reading or resting with their eyes closed.
A woman surnamed Dong emerged victorious with a score of 88.99 out of 100. She spent the most time awake, avoided deep sleep, and maintained the lowest anxiety levels. Dong, a sales manager and mother who rarely spends time aimlessly scrolling, became a social media sensation, earning the nickname “pyjama sister” after donning pyjamas for the event.
“I wont to join the competition. It seems so engaging and not challenging at all,” one user commented on Baidu.
Another quipped: “My grandma could win the top prize.”
This competition is part of a growing movement in China to encourage reduced screen time. Earlier this year, a chinese PhD student studying in the UK made headlines for completing a 134-day journey across 24 provinces without using a mobile phone or electronic gadgets.
