*Contributed by Will.
Scientists are not yet sure why exactly we need to sleep or what is the connection between a healthy brain and quality sleep, but they do know it is important. They also know that lack of sleep leads to mental illness, excessive irritation, and lack of productivity and I can say from experience that this statement is completely true.
Whenever I don’t get enough sleep or I postpone it to work on a late project I feel the effect in the following days. I lose focus a lot easier, my creativity drops significantly, and I usually enter this vicious circle where I have to push back deadlines because I feel too tired.
This is why I decided to do some research and I learned there are ways to get quality sleep and remain productive even when you slip into temptation and miss a night. Furthermore, the tips below are great for increasing productivity even when you get enough sleep, so why not try them?
Get more Zzzz hours
There are some so-called productivity gurus out there that will teach you to reduce sleep to the bare minimum. Heck, some even recommend sleeping 5 to 6 hours a night! Well, the specialists I talked to all maintain we should sleep about 8 to 9 hours each night if we want to keep the energy going until the end of the workday.
So, if you find yourself exhausted by 3 PM, make sure to sleep more, and the results will show!
No more Procrastination
It looks like there is a strong connection between putting off things for the next day and lack of sleep. So, if you tend to find yourself looking at cat videos on YouTube instead of working, take a look at your sleep habits.
Naps are a Good Thing
Studies show that employees who get a power nap while at work are more productive, faster, and more focused. Actually, the data is so convincing that there are companies where employees have access to special napping areas!
So, if you feel your productivity is declining during the day, it’s probably time to take a nap. But don’t go over the 20-30 minutes limit!
Sleep Quality
In terms of sleep, there are two features that matter the most: length and quality. And both are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, sound, or light. Furthermore, the mattress will also influence your slumber because it may not support your needs.
For instance, to improve my sleep quality I decided to invest in the Eight Sleep mattress (read this bed review), which can be easily transformed into a smart bed that will tend to your slumber. Of course, there are other impressive products out there; you just have to look for the best one.
Use a Tracker
When you don’t get enough sleep one night, you start a sleep debt account, and with every restless night, you gather more. This translates in lack of productivity and focus at work, so it’s important to know how big your sleep debt is. For this, it helps if you use a tracker to keep count of the hours you’ve lost.
This is a small device that can be installed on your wrist, in the mattress, or even placed in the room (these are different devices).
Overall, sleep is of paramount importance for productivity so you shouldn’t see it as a waste of time, but rather as a time to charge and refocus.
*Contributed by Will.