Sleeping is time well spent
Skipping sleep to get more work done may not be saving you any time.
A lack of sleep not only impacts your productivity but it damages your health as well.
Sleep helps your body repair itself. It also helps your mind absorb the day's learning. When we deprive ourselves of sleep, we notice the effects both mentally and physically.
Short-term effects, such as difficulty concentrating, careless mistakes and increased stress, can affect our relationships, our performance at work or school, and our ability to enjoy life. The risk of injury and accidents at work or on the road increases.
If sleep deprivation persists, effects can be life-threatening and include obesity, diabetes, heart attack or stroke.
By recognizing the early signs of sleep deprivation and increasing the amount of sleep you're getting, you can prevent or reverse the damage.
In general, most adults need about seven hours of sleep per night. It is important to find out how much sleep you need to stay healthy and alert.
The right amount of sleep is the amount that lets you wake up feeling refreshed and well.
Tips for a restful sleep
- Develop a relaxing sleep ritual, possibly including a warm bath, soothing music or reading.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks in the late afternoon and evening.
- Avoid alcohol and nicotine in the evening. Both are stimulants.
- Make your room sleep-friendly - cool, dark, and quiet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Don't feel guilty about going to bed. Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury.
