Sleep is the secret to productivity
You’ve all heard of the 9-5 grind, but what about the 7-9? The first one is your job and the second? Well, it’s your sleep. Yes, that’s right. Sleep might just be the most important part of your daily routine, even more than the hustle and grind we’re all told to prioritize.
Perception | Reality |
---|---|
More sleep = less work time. | Lack of sleep reduces productivity, leads to burnout. |
More than 7 hours of sleep = lazy. | 7-9 hours is ideal for health and performance. |
Too much sleep = grogginess. | Sleep inertia relates to sleep quality, not duration. |
Meet my new friend, Sleep
I believed that working hard meant working all the time. Even if that meant sacrificing sleep. I thought that the more I worked, the more I’d achieve. But over time, I realized sleep might be the secret to my productivity, not the enemy of it.
Sleep steals your time
I used to think that sleeping more than 7 hours was just a waste of time. I thought that every hour I spent sleeping was an hour I could have spent working. I even believed that if I stayed up late and woke up early, I’d get ahead. But as I pushed myself to work more and sleep less, I noticed something it wasn’t working.
I found that I was constantly feeling tired, unmotivated and unable to focus. I wasn’t being productive at all. In fact, cutting back on sleep was actually hurting my progress, not helping it.
Sleep is essential
Sleep helps brain function at its best
With a good night’s rest, I noticed I could think more clearly, remember things better and make smarter decisions. Sleep gives brain the chance to recharge and process everything.
Sleep keeps healthy and energized
Not sleeping enough takes a toll on body. When I skip on sleep, I’d feel sick or fatigued and it was harder to stay motivated. But with 7–9 hours of rest, I feel more energized and ready to take on the day.
Sleep improves mood and focus
After a bad night’s sleep, I felt grumpy and stressed, which made it difficult to focus or work effectively. But when I prioritize my sleep, I wake up feeling refreshed and in a good mood, ready to tackle my to-do list.
Can you sleep too much?
There’s a fine balance. While sleeping too little can make you exhausted and unproductive, sleeping too much can also be a problem. If I sleep too much (more than 9 hours), I feel sluggish and waste valuable time.
The key is finding that sweet spot. For most people, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is just right. It gives rest to the body and mind they need
When sleep can block your productivity
Even though I love sleep now, I’ve learned a few things the hard way
Oversleeping causes lethargy
Sometimes, sleeping too much can leave me feeling tired and groggy. It’s important for me to sleep just enough, not too little and not too much. Sleeping more than 10 hours can interfere with my daily routine, making me feel like I’ve lost the day.
Quality Over Quantity
It’s not about how long I sleep, but how well I sleep. Sleeping 7 hours of deep, restful sleep is far better than sleeping 9 hours and waking up feeling tired. To get the best results, I make sure to focus on sleep quality, like avoiding screens before bed and keeping a regular sleep schedule.
Sleeping more than 7 hours is not inherently harmful to productivity. In fact, it can be beneficial for overall well-being, cognitive function and productivity. The key is to avoid the extremes: regularly oversleeping (more than 9 hours) or consistently undersleeping (less than 7 hours) can both have negative effects. The ideal is to find a balanced sleep routine that allows you to be fully rested and perform at your best. Prioritize good quality sleep. So, it’s not just about working hard, it’s about working well and sleep helps me do that.