I always appreciate how well stocked my office keeps the candy jar but this CEO's gift has blown that out of the water — Factory employees each received one of the best smart beds from CEO Matan Grinberg in hopes of boosting productivity.
Speaking on 20VC, Grinberg explained that when his start up had 30 employees each one received a $3,000 Eight Sleep smart mattress cover to "[squeeze] out every ounce of brain power" through the power of good sleep.
And he might be on to something. Our sleep tech specialist Eve Davies told me that using the Eight Sleep smart bed took her sleep score from 59 to 91 and sleep experts agree that good sleep is essential for learning and memory. Not to mention, Factory has since grown to over 120 employees... So is a smart bed the secret behind better work?
What is the Eight Sleep Pod smart mattress cover?
The central benefit of the Eight Sleep system is its integrated liquid-based temperature control, which allows you to heat or cool the bed to suit your preferences. Larger sizes also include dual-temperature control, so both sides of the bed can sleep comfortably.
In addition, the Eight Sleep cover is woven with sensors to track your sleep during the night. This data is used to optimize the temperature control features, and you can access your info via the Eight Sleep app.
Newer models also include a smart alarm, while an optional adjustable bed base is also available with the Pod 5 (from our sleuthing, we think Factory employees received either the Pod 3 or 4.)
How a smart mattress can improve productivity
1. Temperature controls help prevent 3 a.m. wake ups
High temperatures don't just make you sticky and uncomfortable when you're trying to sleep — they work against your circadian rhythms, which prefer a cooler bedroom to drop off (65 to 70°F / 18 to 21 °C.)
Excess warmth can also disrupt the delicate movement between sleep cycles, meaning you're more likely to wake up when you shift into lighter or REM sleep around 3 a.m.
But the Eight Sleep uses integrated trackers to monitor your temperature and respond, ensuring you stay comfortably cool all night long.
As a result, you can enjoy higher quality sleep as your body is able to move smoothly through every sleep stage. (Eight Sleep notes the automatic temperature adjustments can improve deep sleep up to 34%.)
2. Sleep trackers help you identify problem areas
Sleep tech tester Eve noted that one of the big benefits of her smart bed is that it helped her take accountability for her sleep problems and in doing so finally take control of the hit-and-miss sleep schedule that was dragging her score down.
Of course, this isn't exclusive to the Eight Sleep — the best sleep trackers should all help you get to grips with your sleep by providing clear metrics. These allow you to wade through the murky hours you've spent dozing until you have a proper picture of your rest.
It's then down to you to make these changes (even the latest Eight Sleep Pod can't force you into bed.) But the big red warning signs of your sleep tracker often function as good motivation.
3. Waking up at the right moment beats sleep inertia
The latest models of the Eight Sleep come with built-in alarms that recognize when you're at a lighter stage of sleep and use either temperature, vibration or audio to wake you up.
Smart alarms ensure that rather than being jolted awake during a phase of deep sleep, you're gradually roused when your body is naturally poised to wake up. This helps prevent sleep inertia (the groggy feeling you get first thing in the morning.)
From a productivity stand point, a fresher wake up ensures those first few hours of the day are spent feeling alert and ready to go — not waiting for your coffee to kick in.
The best sunrise alarm clocks are another way to start the day better. By slowly flooding the room with light, they ease you into the day comfortably.
How does sleep help learning?
Your brain is busy while you're asleep. During deep sleep memories are strengthened and muscles are repaired, while REM sleep helps with problem solving. If you want to learn, the key isn't a late night cramming session — it's getting a good night's rest.
You also have more willpower and better decision making when you're well rested, alongside better mood control.
And during sleep your body also clears away adenosine, the hormone responsible for sleep pressure, allowing you to wake up fresh.
So if your employers have been looking for ways to boost production, maybe drop them a link to the Eight Sleep store?
