A new profession in China has emerged to help sleep-deprived individuals, particularly those affected by the demanding “996” work culture (working from 9am to 9pm and 6 days a week), marital stress, and other life pressures. These professionals, known as sleepmakers, aim to induce sleep through calming conversations and emotional support before bedtime.
Taozi, a part-time sleepmaker with a stable job, turned to this practice after experiencing its benefits firsthand. According to Guangzhou Daily, she found that discussing personal problems with a stranger helped clear out emotional baggage, leading to better sleep.
“Discussing personal problems that are difficult to share with friends and family with a stranger might be the best way to clear out emotional garbage. Once this emotional garbage is taken care of, people tend to sleep better,” Taozi said.
Sleepmakers are categorised into different levels on the platform, with higher tiers earning more. A chief sleepmaker can earn up to 260 yuan (US$36) per hour, while a full-time sleepmaker can make up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,200) per month, plus tips, according to South China Morning Post.
Most of Taozi’s clients are young adults born in the 1990s and 2000s who seek a listening ear and emotional support to navigate life’s challenges.
Sleepmakers operate both online and offline. One popular online practitioner, “Sevenseven7,” is known for her imaginative bedtime stories on Douyin.
In one of her most popular videos, “Little Pig Boiling Medicine,” she tells a whimsical tale of a little pig who falls ill and visits a doctor. The story ends with a play on words, “Yao shui jiao le in Mandarin, which sounds like ‘It’s time to sleep’.”
Her unique approach has drawn interest from her audience, who have dubbed her videos “modern new drugs.”
Taozi, a part-time sleepmaker with a stable job, turned to this practice after experiencing its benefits firsthand. According to Guangzhou Daily, she found that discussing personal problems with a stranger helped clear out emotional baggage, leading to better sleep.
“Discussing personal problems that are difficult to share with friends and family with a stranger might be the best way to clear out emotional garbage. Once this emotional garbage is taken care of, people tend to sleep better,” Taozi said.
Sleepmakers are categorised into different levels on the platform, with higher tiers earning more. A chief sleepmaker can earn up to 260 yuan (US$36) per hour, while a full-time sleepmaker can make up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,200) per month, plus tips, according to South China Morning Post.
Most of Taozi’s clients are young adults born in the 1990s and 2000s who seek a listening ear and emotional support to navigate life’s challenges.
Sleepmakers operate both online and offline. One popular online practitioner, “Sevenseven7,” is known for her imaginative bedtime stories on Douyin.
In one of her most popular videos, “Little Pig Boiling Medicine,” she tells a whimsical tale of a little pig who falls ill and visits a doctor. The story ends with a play on words, “Yao shui jiao le in Mandarin, which sounds like ‘It’s time to sleep’.”
Her unique approach has drawn interest from her audience, who have dubbed her videos “modern new drugs.”