A video of a 20-year-old student athlete going to bed has earned 2 million views on TikTok, sparking a lively conversation about the value of every extra minute of rest.
The footage shows Kaia Harding (@kaiaharding) lying on a perfectly made bed, dressed in her sports gear and wrapped in nothing more than a pink blanket.
She told Newsweek: "I sleep in my clothes and just slip on my shoes in the morning twice a week."
This is because she has a weight-lifting class at 6:45 a.m., she said: "I'm way too tired to have to make my bed and get dressed at that time."
By sleeping in her workout clothes, Harding explained she gets an extra 15 minutes of sleep and cuts 35 minutes from her morning routine.
"I leave five minutes before I need to get there and make it on time every time," she told Newsweek.
Why Sleep Matters for Athletes
Harding's approach is more than just a time-saving hack—it also taps into the science of sleep and physical performance. Adequate sleep is essential for athletes, as it helps the body recover and restore itself after training.
According to Gallup research, most U.S. adults (57 percent) say they would feel better if they got more sleep, while 42 percent believe they get as much sleep as they need.
A systematic review published in 2023 reinforces the link between exercise and sleep. Research shows that engaging in regular physical activity significantly improves both sleep quality and total sleep duration.
Adults who exercise for at least 30 minutes a day tend to sleep about 15 minutes longer on average compared to those who do not exercise.
Physical activity has also been linked to a reduction in sleep disorders such as insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and sleep apnea, highlighting the potential of exercise as a natural, non-pharmacological way to improve sleep health.
Moderate-intensity exercise—like 30 minutes of activity three times per week for eight weeks—has been found to improve sleep quality specifically in individuals suffering from insomnia. Aerobic exercise of moderate intensity is particularly effective in enhancing sleep among these patients.
TikTok Users Relate to the Hack
Harding's clever routine has resonated with other students and athletes, many of whom chimed in on TikTok, where her video has racked up 271,000 likes.
"People don't understand that every minute of sleep counts in college athletics," said one user. Another added: "If you stay ready, you ain't [got to] get ready."
"That sleeping on top of your blankets will stick with you for life," shared a third user.
A fourth wrote: "Wait lowkey I need to do this."
"You got it all figure it out my girl!" praised a fifth.
