This woman made $12,000 sleeping–here’s how you can do the same

Some studies also require specific postures for part of the study, like sitting up straight for six hours. And they really mean no moving, so get ready to use a bedpan, Shea says.

But there are also big upsides (aside from the obvious cash payouts).

“When you’re not giving blood or following instructions, you can do pretty much whatever you want outside of activities that would raise your heart rate,” Shea writes. “Hang out in your comfiest clothes and listen to music, write letters, draw or paint. I never make time to create comics, but I completed three during one study, not to mention finishing several books that had been collecting dust on my shelves.”

If that sounds good to you (and you can ignore the rectal thermometer), then see if you can sign up for any sleep studies in your area! Sweet dreams.

Other Ways To Earn Money

If sleeping in a lab doesn’t appeal to you, there are a few other ways to earn money while you sleep.

Consider taking overnight babysitting or nannying jobs. These typically pay pretty well because you’re working for at least eight hours! Of course, you’ll need to earn the parents’ trust, but once you have, you’re in!

We’ve found overnight babysitting jobs for doctors and nurses who work through the night. When one parent is away for the week traveling, they need someone to pinch hit.

There are also tons of other scientific studies that need your help that don’t involve sleeping.

If you’ve got a research university nearby, this is a super easy and totally legit way to make a few extra bucks.

You won’t get rich doing this, but it’s still something.

Here’s an example: Northwestern University was recently looking for people who were right-handed and native English speakers. They were willing to pay participants $30 for the first hour and $20 for every hour after that to solve problems and play word games.

If you’ve got a specific health problem, you could also sign up for a clinical trial. Sometimes researchers are also looking for health volunteers. In addition to your local university or medical center, a good place to look for clinical trials near you is ClinicalTrials.gov, a site run by the National Institutes of Health.

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If you’re not already investing in your company’s 401(k) or another retirement program, you should also consider opening a high-yield savings account. That way, your money will be making you money while you sleep.

What is it? A high-yield account is just like any other bank account, accept it pays a super high interest rate.  These rates change, but for the most part, you can earn roughly 1 percent with these types of savings account. The best part? Interest is deposited monthly, meaning you’ll start to see the fruits of your “investment” fast.