Sleep is for the weak?
You can’t be at your most productive if you don’t allow your brain to get proper rest. A poor night’s sleep reduces your ability to think logically and creatively.
In a world where we are constantly switched on, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to switch off.
Not only are we busy being “busy”, but we now are busy being distracted from an array of stimuli that interferes with our natural sleep rhythms.
Indeed, the new stimulants (phones, iPads, Laptops, TVs etc.) we now use more than most might be making this easier to stay connected but equally make it hard to disconnect.
In turn, our brains are being hijacked by electronics that trick them into releasing hormones that keep us awake even when we shouldn’t be – namely cortisol and melatonin.
This, of course, becomes a vicious cycle if you don’t apply some practical steps to reduce the risks while ensuring you set a healthy framework to be your best productive self.
Speaking of which, here are some key ones below.
1 – Have a sleep routine.
Starting with the most practical, simply planning out your night-time routine can do wonders for better sleep. Start with a cut off time mind that allows you at 7-9 hours of sleep and stick to it.
Get what you need ready before you cut off so that you don’t go to bed with a racing mind.
2 – Sleep in a dark room
You should aim to sleep in darkness or as close to it as possible. Even the tiniest blue light that shines from your TV can play up your daily, which affects your natural production of melatonin which will harm your sleep.
It doesn’t take much light to disrupt things biologically, so make sure your room is set up like a bat cave.
3 – Minimize electronics
Ditch the electromagnetic stimulants around your room. Turn off any sockets that don’t need to be left on overnight. Avoid using your phone alarm to wake and buy a battery-powered one.
4 – Avoid liquid stimulants after 1 pm
Consuming coffee and other stimulants even for up to six hours before getting in bed can disrupt sleep.
For example, this study demonstrated that even caffeine consumption 6 hours before bedtime could have important disruptive effects on both objective and subjective sleep measures.
All said and done, making sure that you don’t neglect the power of a good night’s rest is vital to maintaining a good quality of life. After all, we work hard, so we should rest hard.
Speaking of working hard, I haven’t even talked with you about meetings yet. There is a right way and a wrong way my friend. I’ll tell you more in our next email though.
For now let’s wrap this one and have an amazing day
Until Next Time
Dominus Owen Markham
