Series: Stress - Sleep: Why getting enough sleep is critical to your success!
We’ve all been told that getting a good night’s sleep is beneficial in many ways, yet it always seems to be one of the first things we sacrifice when life gets a little crazy. It often feels like there’s too much to do and not enough time to get it done. Going to bed later and getting up earlier sounds like the smart thing to do under these circumstances, however, science has proven time and time again that reducing your sleep is actually counterproductive.
Our body and mind need sleep to recharge, stay healthy and fight off disease. Without adequate sleep, our brain is unable to function properly and our ability to concentrate, think clearly and process memories will be impaired.
Adults generally need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to function properly, however, hectic schedules, stress, medical conditions, and bedroom conditions may prevent us from getting that sleep.
Failing to get enough sleep may lead to serious problems, such as reduced cognitive abilities, delayed reactions, mood shifts, and attention lapses. It also puts you at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, poor mental health, stroke, heart disease and premature death.
Sleep is also critical to your success at work. Studies have shown that prioritizing sleep provides many benefits at the office, including:
- Feeling happier at work.
- Staying calm under pressure and handling problems better.
- Reducing crankiness at work, and thus, being more popular with coworkers.
- Processing information better because sleep transfers information into our long-term memory.
- Performing high-quality work.
- Being less accident-prone.
- Increased intelligence—because sleep improves problem-solving skills and information recall.
Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to make sure you are getting the right amount of sleep—you also need to be concerned about the quality of that sleep, as well. The easiest way to get quality sleep quickly is to take time to wind down before bed—which doesn’t mean falling asleep to your favorite show or scrolling through Facebook. It means putting all screens away at least 30 minutes before bed and spending time doing other activities, such as reading. You may also want to consider purchasing a new mattress and avoiding alcohol or caffeine in the evenings if you have trouble falling or staying asleep.
Prioritizing your sleep is essential to success at work, as well as in life in general. It is never a sign of laziness! In fact, making sure you are well-rested could even be considered work dedication!