A Career Coach Who Understands

We all know that feeling of sluggishness that follows a late night. The resulting lack of coordination, concentration and motivation make it tough to get through the day but did you know you may be suffering from those same setbacks on a daily basis if you deprive your body of even 30 minutes of extra sleep it needs to function properly?

The optimal amount of sleep for the average adult is 7 to 8.5 hours of sleep per night. If you are habitually sleeping less than 7 hours per night you are sleep deprived. Unfortunately statistics show that most people sacrifice sleep in favor of a busy schedule or more pleasant activities. The average American sleeps 6.5 hours.

How will an extra 30 minutes of sleep make you more productive at work?

1. Increased focus and concentration. One of the most reported effects of sleep deprivation is loss of concentration. If you are more focused on the tasks at hand you will be able to complete them in less time.
2. Increased memory. You will be amazed at how much your memory improves with the amount of sleep you get. It will take you less time to learn new skills and you will retain what you learn.
3. Increased energy. Getting the proper amount of sleep your body requires every night means you do not feel sluggish during the day. You no longer will have those feelings of crashing in mid-afternoon where you are fighting to stay awake at your desk.
4. Increased metabolism. Statistics show that people who sleep less than 7 hours per night have a higher instance of weight gain. The only apparent reason is lack of sleep. Much more goes on within the body during sleep than you might think. Besides recharging your brain, and repairing your cells, your hormones do a balancing act. Those hormones are the ones that control your metabolism. Without that balance your body cannot properly supply you with energy and instead the nutrients get turned to fat.
5. Increased immune system and over-all health. As with your metabolic system, your immune system needs sleep to maintain your good health. When you skimp on sleep you are stressing your immune system and become more likely to get sick. This results in more sick days or working through flues and colds which we all know makes us less productive.

Going to bed 30 minutes earlier every night might just be that extra boost you need to get that promotion or get yourself noticed as a dedicated worker. You will not only become more productive, you will also feel like you are up to any challenge. Motivation and enthusiasm is not possible with sleep deprivation but it is listed as one of the major factors in getting ahead at work. You owe it to yourself to get more sleep!

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