Does More Sleep = More Success?

Sleep. It is an essential part of life that 7.6 billion people worldwide do every night.

As such a regular part of our day-to-day schedules, we tend to forget how important sleep is and the positive benefits it can have on our lives. By ensuring you get more sleep, you can improve both your health and professional life, and start enjoying some serious success!

According to the Sleep Foundation, it is recommended hat adults between the ages of 26 – 65 maintain a sleep schedule of seven to nine hours per night. So, what are the benefits of a good night’s sleep?

Here’s our pick of the top health benefits of sleep:

1. It reduces stress. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body will panic and result in producing extra stress hormones. Less stress will help you stay relaxed and on top of whatever your day entails.
2. It lowers blood pressure. By maintaining a good sleep schedule, your body is more likely to stay relaxed, therefore reducing your blood pressure levels. This is an immense health benefit as it can help in reducing the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
3. It can aid weight loss. While sleep does not directly make you lose weight, it can help keep your appetite and cravings under control. You also burn calories when you sleep with the average person burning 0.93 calories per kilo, per hour. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average Australian male weighing 85.9kg burns 639.12 calories during an eight-hour sleep and the average Australian female weighing 71.1kg burns 529 calories during an eight-hour sleep.
4. It can boost your immune system. Getting a good night’s sleep can help you fight off illness or stress-related sickness. The body, when well rested, produces extra protein molecules which help strengthen your immune system, giving your body the best chance of fighting back!
5. It keeps you sharp and focused. Being well rested helps your concentration, creativity and problem-solving skills. A good night’s sleep has been linked to improved cognition and processing speed helping you stay sharp and on top of workplace tasks.
6. It elevates your productivity. With enough sleep, you’ll feel more capable of reaching your full productivity levels. Productivity allows you to manage your tasks in the workplace which helps maintain your efficiency. Staying productive not only eliminates any underlying element of stress but enables you to hit any set goals and targets.
7. It helps maintain a healthy heart. Maintaining a good sleeping schedule can reduce stress on your cardiovascular system by lowing blood pressure and cardiovascular inflammation while maintaining a regular heartbeat. More sleep ensures your heart stays in the best shape.
8. It can increase your energy levels. After a full night’s sleep you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day. With all that renewed energy you’ll be able to pack loads into your day and achieve your goals. You’ll also feel more likely to go on that lunchtime run or catch up with friends after a hard day at work.
9. It can supercharge your happiness. More sleep can help you to find a life balance that’s right for you. With all that renewed energy you’ll have more time to do the things you love and find that perfect balance between work, family, friends and any hobbies you enjoy. Finding this balance will help you stay happy and less stressed.

While sleep may not be the first thing that comes to mind in regards to staying healthy, the benefits of a good night’s sleep, on your mental and physical health is undeniable. We all know what it’s like to feel busy and flustered juggling both a work and personal life, so sometimes the best thing to do is just stop, relax and have a sleep to help find the right balance.
How will more sleep help your professional life?

By maintaining a sleep schedule of the recommended sleeping hours; you will be both mentally and physically healthier. You’ll be able to stay sharper and more focused, which will help you solve the hard problems at work, contribute brilliant ideas and stay on track for longer. Your body will also be more relaxed with heightened concentration, whereas lack of sleep can make you agitated and frustrated resulting in poor performance.

Ensuring you maintain a good sleep schedule will help you stay less stressed and help you produce some of your finest work. While sleep may not make you an overnight Albert Einstein, the mental benefit of getting enough sleep will help you create workplace masterpieces.

How can you ensure you get enough sleep? Try these 5 tips.

1. Stick to a regular sleep schedule (including the weekends!).
2. Exercise between 15 - 30 minutes a day.
3. Avoid caffeine and alcohol (or at least reduce your consumption).
4. Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed.
5. Sleep in a relaxing environment.

By getting enough sleep, not only will you be able to conquer your day-to-day activities, but you will be a better version of yourself. With more sleep and less stress, you will pave the way for success in the workplace by being creative, sharp and focused. Sleeping ultimately helps to build a better, happier and healthier you.

This article what contributed by guest author Lachlan Bradley.