5 Proofs Why Sleeping Makes You More Productive

Why Sleeping More Helps You Achieve More

We live in the most hectic period in all of human history, always chasing that next raise or a promotion, that dream job, house, or partner. The problem is that we are often willing to sacrifice some essential things in life in order to reach those goals. In my case, I have been more than willing to sacrifice sleep in order to advance at my old job, and then sacrifice even more of it because I was starting my own business on the side, which I would eventually go with.

However, the short-term benefits of sleeping less were, well, short-lasting, since the effects caught up with me almost immediately, and I’ve experienced most of the symptoms shown on this infographic created by Elephant Journal. Not only is lack of sleep linked to increased risk of diseases such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, and obesity, but it also caused me to change some of the good habits. I didn’t even notice that my diet began to consist solely of high-calorie, high-carb foods, and on top of all that, I had trouble focusing and my memory got worse.

So, I started looking into the whole sleep deprivation thing. Aside from all the side effects I was feeling, I found a whole bunch of evidence which showed that a good night’s sleep affects not just our productivity, but also our health. I have chosen 5 pieces of evidence to support that theory. Keep on reading.

1. Lack of Sleep Affects Learning and Memory

According to research done by the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, the number of hours we spend sleeping every night has a tremendous effect on our ability to learn and memorize new information. But, let’s just put science aside here for a second. Because I am a huge procrastinator, my college days consisted of doing nothing for weeks, and then staying  up all night, or several nights in a row because of essay writing or cramming for that important exam. Needless to say, by the time I reached my senior year, I was fried.

Additional research done by Dr Matthew Walker at the University of California, Berkeley, also proves that lack of sleep diminishes our ability to learn new information by as much as 40%! So, even though I felt as if I was getting more done by sleeping less, it was the exact opposite. Furthermore, my grades reflected my lack of sleep, despite feeling like I had given it my best.

2. Companies Are Losing Billions Because of Sleep Deprivation

This is arguably the strongest piece of evidence out there. Although most companies will never admit it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one third of all workers in the US are getting less than six hours of sleep every night. Their productivity dips significantly, and US businesses lose more than $63 billion every single year as a result of that.

This problem is getting harder to solve, because we are constantly reminded by the media of all the success stories featuring CEOs which only get a few hours of sleep at night, much like Elon Musk does. I have a problem with that story. Not only does it show a criminal lack organizational skills on Musk’s part, but it also sets a bad example which unfortunately inspires many people. I think I am speaking not just for myself, but also for the remaining 325 million of people in the US when I say that seven to nine hours of sleep is a must if I want to stay sane and physically healthy.

3. Better Sleep Improves Reaction Time and Decision Making

Sleep researchers at the Washington State University have done a study which shows that even a slight lack of sleep can impact our reaction time in both everyday life and crisis situation. Also, being awake for 17 hours has an identical impact on our behavior as drinking two glasses of wine. And if you have been up for 24 hours, the effect doubles. In essence, we are no more capable at that moment than when we are drunk.

Now, I am not doing a job such as flying a plane, performing surgery, or operating heavy machinery, which would require my full attention over prolonged periods of time. But even I have to make decisions about my blogs which ultimately affect my productivity, my reputation, and last but not least, my income. When I am sleep-deprived, I tend to make poorer decisions, and if it not were for my collaborators, I would probably make at least one big blunder per week. If you are not as lucky as I am to be your own boss, such blunders can cost your employer money, which in turn can cost you your job.

4. Short Naps Boost Alertness and Productivity

Studies show that even short naps can have a positive effect on our brains. Having one or two short 15-minute naps during the day can have a significant impact on our alertness. But, we don’t even need science on this one to tell us that napping helps our bodies restore energy. Naps are awesome, and in my case, I find them to be even more effective than caffeine or sugar, which is the weapon of choice for most of my fellow bloggers and readers. Getting an extra hour of sleep every night is an even better solution, but even then, I never give up my afternoon nap, just because I wake up feeling so refreshed afterwards.

5. Lack of Sleep Affects Our Emotions

When we are sleep deprived, we tend to be more reactive. This is not necessarily a negative thing if we are out in the wild, because then our bodies are in fight-or-flight mode, which helps us survive. I spend most of my days inside an office or at home, so that sort of stress and panic is not productive. Personally, I am less than brilliant in stressful situations, which is probably one of the reasons why I have chosen to be a writer. But even if I can manage the stress, I also tend to perceive other people in a different manner and react negatively to situations I would otherwise solve in a routine manner. For some people, being “hangry” (it’s a thing, look it up) is unbearable. For me, it’s the overall fatigue and lack of sleep which are the key for my emotional stability, or lack thereof.

Summary

While our work-first culture isn’t likely to change anytime soon, we can start by getting enough sleep. Given all the evidence, it is easy to conclude that we will become not just more productive, but also happier and healthier people, leading more balanced lives. And you can’t ask for much more than that.

BIO

Laura Buckler is a contributor for students blog and a lifestyle writer whose guiding stars are honesty and authenticity. Her passion and interest for new experiences fuel her articles and inspire her readers.

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