Can’t remember the last time you felt this rough?
That’s sleep deprivation for you. As well as increasing your blood pressure, depressing your immune system, slowing down your reaction time, and making it difficult to concentrate. It can also affect your short and long-term memory (you can say that again… no please I’ve forgotten already).
More than a third feel happy after a good nights sleep, 41% feel positive and almost a quarter (24%) feel productive, meaning a lack of sleep could be one of the biggest players to influence our career in all the wrong ways.
Why you’re not getting from A to ZZZ’s
Going into the red in terms of snooze time, just like your bank overdraft, comes with penalties. Historically speaking we are the most sleep-deprived nation ever, sleeping on average 2 hours less than we did 100 years ago. Sleep deprivation causes the UK economy to lose £40 billion a year. Going beyond the sleep-deprived economy, Britons are shortening their lives, one study showed that people who sleep less than six hours a night have a 13% higher mortality rate than those sleeping at least seven hours. Maybe hitting that snooze button could literally be life-saving. In the UK it’s been shown that 47% of people say worry and stress are the leading causes of their sleepless nights, and 28% of people say they suffer from insomnia on a frequent basis.
The main insomnia causes include:
When you’re buried under a mountain of stress: Worrying about your new rota at work or whether Karen from HR really is stealing your sandwiches? Don’t worry, 48% of people say worry and stress are the reason they are kept awake, so you’re not alone!
Duvet-hoggers and fidgety partners: The key to your insomnia might just be your partner. The next most common reason people are kept awake are their partners and sharing a bed. For many people who suffer from this, they said the easiest way to improve there sleep would be a separate bed or a different room.
When you mean to go to bed but also just want to finish this episode: Watch Netflix or playing Candy Crush in bed before you sleep? It’s said that 11% of Britons say artificial light is the key feature that is causing their insomnia. Not going to bed at the same time each night and sleeping through your alarm are also common reasons people struggle with sleep. Aim for a regular sleep pattern and for god’s sake put down the Candy Crush!
Revving cars and snoring partners: 14% of people claim their lack of sleep comes from noise, with 24% of Londoners saying it ruins their shut-eye the most.
Remember what good sleep feels like?
Sweet dreams are made of ZZZ’s… If you’re starting to find your sleep cycle disagrees, then here’s a reminder of what a good kip feels like:
– Waking up feeling rested and refreshed (not as though you want to curl up in a ball and hibernate for the rest of your life).
– Feeling alert throughout the day.
– Being in a generally good mood.
– Not feeling like you need a nap later.
Five reasons why sleep is important for your career:
If you can relate to the above, you really need to get a groove on improving your sleep schedule. If you do, you’ll soon notice what difference it makes and how it can help your career. Here’s why.
Healthy sleep can make you feel like a million dollars
If you’re lacking in the confidence department, your colleagues won’t want you on their team and your boss is going to pass you over for promotion. Sleep’s crucial for your confidence because it improves your overall performance and stamina which will help you climb that career ladder. It’s all about the confidence baby!
Ditching sleep deprivation boosts creativity
You may not think your job involves much creativity. However, you don’t have to be the smooth watercolouring Bob Ross to be creative. Even in your most routine work activities, you draw on creativity to be able to think outside the palette and come up with unique solutions to day-to-day problems.
A good nights sleep sharpens your memory
While you are sleeping, your brain is busy organising and storing all the data you uploaded while you were awake. After a good night’s sleep, you’ll find it much easier to access your internal database and you’ll have razor-sharp focus.
Fully rested means physically fit
Sleep is like a panacea, it can literally improve your health while you’re dreaming of having a holiday in the Bahamas. For example, it decreases inflammation, which reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, asthma, and digestive disorders. Restful sleep will also keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
Sleep Beats Stressors
If stress is a frequent hot and bothering bedfellow, quality sleep is the cool side of the pillow you’ve been looking for. Because sleep naturally kicks stress to the curb, you’ll be able to focus more at work and think more clearly under pressure.
Repaying your sleep deficit can be simplified by making some basic lifestyle changes. Setting up a regular sleep schedule will ensure you are in good physical, mental, and emotional shape and that you are performing your best at work. Start changing the way you sleep today and speed up your journey along the career path.
