Are you getting enough sleep? If the answer is no, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed a drop in productivity, and unfortunately, less motivation results in less success. If you struggle to fall asleep or find yourself up at all hours of the night finishing a project or sending off emails, you’re not doing yourself any favors. The effects of sleep deprivation can be detrimental to your body as well as your mood, brain function, and your ability to focus. A few extra hours of sleep each night can work wonders for your attitude and your career.
What Does Sleep Deprivation do to Your Health?
Sleep deprivation is connected to a number of serious health problems including stroke, heart attack, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. When you don’t get enough sleep your body produces too much cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate the effects of stress on the body, which has a variety of negative side effects. Excess cortisol not only damages your immune system, but it makes you look older by breaking down collagen, that helpful protein that keeps your skin smooth and supple, more quickly.
But that’s not all. Lack of sleep makes you fat. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to reach for sugary foods to boost your energy levels and less likely to head to the gym. Sleep deprivation also slows down your metabolism meaning you burn less calories during the day resulting in weight gain, especially if you are too tired to exercise or make a healthy home cooked meal.
In addition, lack of sleep affects your mental and emotional well being resulting in irritability, cognitive impairment, memory lapses, impaired judgment, increased stress, and decreased creativity, all of which contribute to a decrease in productivity.
How Much Sleep Should You Be Getting?
On average, most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. There are few people who need less than seven hours and those who need more than nine often have underlying health issues. If you find yourself lying awake at night unable to sleep, here are a few suggestions to help you fall asleep faster and sleep sounder.
What are the Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep?
When you get the optimal amount of sleep, you will be in a better mood and have more energy to get your work done during the day. Here are a few benefits of good sleep.
An occasional late night isn’t going to negatively impact your life, but if you find that you’re running on low and becoming less productive at work, it might be time to take a look at your sleeping patterns. Make it a goal to get seven hours of sleep each night to increase your motivation and improve your overall health.
If you would like to have one of our Sales Representatives contact you and discuss what financing options are best for you and your business please fill out this form and someone will be in contact with you shortly.