Sleep is super important for our overall health and wellbeing. Lack of enough sleep affects one’s productivity, and it can result in major health problems. As far as productivity is concerned, when you get enough sleep, you will strengthen your memory, you will be less tired the following day, your focus will be much better, you will have more energy, and your thinking will be better. Furthermore, with enough rest, you can avoid mistakes, accidents and misinterpreting things at the office.
While people are aware of the key benefits of good sleep, many don’t get enough of it due to a couple of myths surrounding the subject. This article highlights some of those myths about sleep that could be hurting your productivity.
I Am an Adult, I Don’t Need Much Sleep
This is a key myth that has kept so many working adults from getting enough sleep. Many adults end up getting four to five hours of sleep, and this is not enough or okay. The recommendation by the National Sleep Foundation is between 7 and 9 hours for young adults aged between 18 and 64, and 7-8 hours for older adults aged 65 and above. No age group has less than seven hours, and thus if you are getting fewer than that, you should review your sleeping habits.
It may feel like sleeping less will give you more time to work and do other things, but in reality, it could end up affecting the quality and quantity of work you do each day. Thus, no matter how much you want that promotion or extra time to get ahead of your competitors, don’t compromise on the quality of sleep you should get each night. You can try other strategies to achieve more, such as being more organized, limiting distractions in your workday, or applying new strategies.
Snoring is a Normal Thing People Go Through
Snoring should not be ignored because at times it is a sign of a bigger issue. Snoring can affect the quality of sleep one gets because it can disrupt breathing and cause one to wake up frequently during the night. And the result of that could be waking up tired, fatigued, and with an irritated throat or dry mouth. Therefore, if you snore at night, it’s advisable to seek medical help immediately.
Bed Surfaces Don’t Affect Sleep
Where you lay down every night matters a lot. If you get 8 hours of sleep on the wrong mattress, you are likely to wake up feeling tired and worse still with some back pain. When shopping for a mattress, look for something that is both comfortable and supportive. It doesn’t have to be the thickest and most expensive. There are several good options even on a budget that match the comfort and support criteria.
Tech Can Help One Fall Asleep Faster and More Easily
Watching TV or scrolling through the phone in bed may seem like a good adult version of a lullaby, but it is one habit that could affect the quality of sleep you get negatively. This is because, using those gadgets right before bed can disrupt the production of the hormone that controls sleep. Therefore, disconnect from your gadgets at least 30 minutes before bedtime. If you can, keep the TV and computers out of your bedroom.
Those are some of the sleep myths that could be ruining your productivity at the office. If you haven’t been getting enough sleep, evaluate your habits and make changes where necessary. If you still feel tired even after getting the recommended hours of sleep in the right environment, seek help.
