Let’s say you have to wake up around 6am daily, but instead of getting 7–8 hours of sleep every night, you’re going to bed late. You end up getting roughly five hours of rest each night. How long do you think you’ll be able to sustain productivity and performance?
Will you be able to be creative, solve problems, and make critical decisions while sleep-deprived?
“Lack of sleep leads to detriments in job performance, productivity, career progression, and satisfaction, and an increase in job-related accidents, absenteeism, and counterproductive work behaviors,” said Forbes.
“Conversely, better sleep improves memory, knowledge acquisition, and learning.”
Not getting enough sleep is a problem affecting many of us. While anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other conditions can impact how much sleep we get, sometimes it comes down to the decisions we make every day that can secure a good night’s sleep.
“Better sleep often starts with creating better sleep habits,” said Forbes.
The first step in what they call sleep hygiene is going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. An exercise routine, a balanced diet, and making your living room more welcoming to improve relaxation can also help. Turning off screens a good period before bed can prepare your body for rest.
You may have heard many tips to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. The problem might be that you’re still choosing other activities over sleep.
So, maybe it comes down to the choices you make and the decision to prioritise your health and sleep everyday.