A woman from southwestern China has won 10,000 yuan (approximately US$1,400) after successfully taking part in a competition where she had to refrain from using her mobile phone for eight hours without showing any signs of anxiety.
The event, held on November 29 at a shopping mall in Chongqing, was reported by Jimu News. From 100 applicants, 10 contestants were chosen to participate. They were required to spend eight hours lying on a designated new bed in the mall. Prior to the competition, all participants handed over their mobile phones and were forbidden from using any other electronic devices, including iPads and laptops.
In case of emergencies, participants were allowed to use basic mobile phones, provided by the organizers, to make calls to their families. However, these phones could only be used for voice calls, not for internet browsing. Contestants were also restricted to staying on the bed for most of the event, with bathroom breaks limited to a maximum of five minutes each. While the total time allowed for bathroom breaks was not disclosed, there were clear restrictions on how much time contestants could spend away from the bed. Food and drinks were provided, but contestants had to consume them while staying on the bed.
Participants were not only forbidden from using their phones but also had to avoid deep sleep and anxiety. They wore wristbands that monitored their sleep quality and anxiety levels. Most contestants spent their time either reading books or resting with their eyes closed.
In the end, a woman named Dong was declared the winner, scoring an impressive 88.99 out of 100. According to the organizers, she spent the most time in bed, didn’t fall into a deep sleep, and exhibited the least amount of anxiety. She won the 10,000 yuan prize and became known as “pyjama sister” on mainland social media, after wearing pyjamas during the event. The no-phone challenge went viral online.
Dong, a sales manager at a financial firm, usually spends her free time tutoring her child and does not typically engage in mindless phone browsing. The identity of the sponsor behind the event and the purpose of holding the competition at a mattress store in the mall remain unknown.
