How productive are you really? Do you get into work really early planning to use that time, before anyone else arrives, to get a head start on the day and then spend the time answering emails? That’s not productive, and you know it! Do you find yourself sitting at your desk knowing you should be doing something but not clear about what it is? Then you might be sleep deprived.
The early morning at the office might be better spent in bed, as studies show if you get less than 6 hours sleep your productivity drops. Margaret Thatcher probably thought she was doing wonders on 4 hours sleep but this could have led her to make poor decisions (according to fellow MP Matthew Parris).
When you’re tired it’s difficult to keep focused on what you want to achieve and it’s even more difficult to think creatively about problems or situations. And remain passionate about what you do? Forget it!! But this isn’t just my opinion the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Business School says “Most people don’t get enough sleep. We are a society that burns the candle at both ends, a nation where people stay up all night to study, work, or have fun. However, going without adequate sleep carries with it both short- and long-term consequences.
In the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.”
It’s no longer a badge of honour working late into the night and then getting up really early the next morning. There’s a really good reason there’s a lot of talk about work/life balance these days and that’s because it makes us well rounded human beings. I start work at 7.30-8am every morning Monday to Thursday and then sleep longer on Friday and get up for an exercise class at 9.15am. That’s my reward for the extra time I spend at work.
It’s not always possible to get the required hours every day due to the rigours of life but make sure you give yourself a chance to catch up on some shut eye. So do yourself a favour and make sure you get enough sleep!