Sleeping Your Way to the Top
In our culture today, there are two false badges of honor people rush to claim. These include working a ridiculous number of hours and surviving on very little sleep. Recent studies show that Americans are among the most sleep-deprived people in the world. As in many powerful truths, the way to get more accomplished and be more productive is counter-intuitive. If you want to succeed in your personal and professional life, work less and sleep more.
Productivity studies have clearly shown that working beyond 40 hours per week diminishes productivity, and sleeping less than seven to eight hours per night diminishes effectiveness. Limiting our sleep is hazardous to our health. Sleep deprivation harms our immune system, promotes weight gain, and hinders our ability to assess our alertness and cognitive condition. This means that when we are sleep deprived, we are not conscious of the degree to which our mental processes have slowed down and our ability to reason has decreased.
If you’re out of the habit of getting a good night’s sleep regularly, it may be hard to correct the situation quickly. Getting more sleep is not simply a matter of spending more time in bed. Those suffering from sleep disorders know that getting a good night’s sleep is a matter of retraining both your mind and your body.
I regrettably have to count myself among those who have regularly worked too much and slept too little. However, I am pleased to report I am making solid progress on both fronts. Working less is simply a matter of prioritizing your tasks, establishing reasonable schedules, and committing to being home evenings and weekends. I have found that when I work less, I become more productive in the time I spend working, but it’s not simply a matter of spending fewer hours at the office. You must be willing to focus your mind on your personal life, loved ones, and leisure activities.
If you want to sleep more, you will find that your body will respond better to a regular sleep cycle involving going to bed and getting up at the same time each day including weekends. Other practical tips for a good night’s sleep include turning off electronic devices two hours before bedtime, keeping your bedroom as dark as possible, and lowering the temperature in the room to approximately 68 degrees. If you’re not able to eliminate external noise, get a sound machine or another device that will create white noise or play soothing music.
You must focus your energy on taking care of yourself because the quickest way to be healthy, happy, and successful is to work less and sleep more.
As you go through your day today, work smarter, sleep better, and reap the benefits.
Today’s the day!