Why Sleep Is Important For A Leader

Even though experts believe people should get at least eight hours of sleep every night, most people don't actually get that much sleep. Recent studies show that less than half of the leaders in the entire world get at least six hours of sleep. When people don't get enough rest every day, they have more chances of impaired creativity, less self-control, and the possibility of poor judgment. When those people are leaders who don't get enough rest, they are more likely to treat their employees wrong and create a work environment where employees are less engaged with less ethical behavior.

The reason so many people, including leaders, get less than the recommended amount of sleep is because social commitments, family, and work take up a lot of hours in each person's day. After people spend their day focusing on their personal and work-related responsibilities, they believe it is impossible to get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. Some people are so used to living life on a few hours of sleep every night that they believe their lack of sleep is not causing harm and may even be proud that they can function "so well" on limited sleep.

Despite people seeming to think that they are okay to function on a lack of sleep, there are actually some great benefits of rest that those people are missing out on. Some of the benefits of sleep include the way it allows people to process emotional experiences, consolidate and store memories, clear out waste that can disrupt cognitive activity, and replenish the molecule that provides fuel for the brain. Fortunately, there are things that people who lack sleep can do to change this behavior for the better, including accepting the fact that a lack of sleep can be harmful to not only themselves but those around them as well. After the initial stage of acceptance, sleep-deprived people can follow advice from experts that will ensure they are able to get enough rest. Then, those well-rested people can become the best they can be while also bringing out the best in the people that are in their lives.

A new study suggests that using a smartphone can affect how people fall asleep. The study shows that light from screens can hinder the production of melatonin, a hormone that's important for regulating sleep. Researchers Russell Johnson and Klodiana Lanaj looked into the effects of technology on the workforce and found that people who spend a lot of time using their smartphones after 9 pm are less engaged the next day.

If you're worried about how technology might affect your sleep, the simple advice is to stop using your devices at night. However, if this isn't practical, you can try glasses that block blue light. Some researchers claim that these can help people fall asleep more easily. Leaders are starting to use electronic trackers to track their sleep. However, these devices may not be able to provide the same accuracy as traditional methods.

Although some devices can do many things, such as track your steps, they aren't good at measuring sleep. Also, many apps make unsubstantiated claims about their ability to track sleep. Some devices, such as the ActiGraph monitor, can provide you with an accurate estimate of how much sleep you're getting. They can also help you determine if you're overestimating how much sleep you're getting.

One of the most overlooked tools for improving sleep is treatment for sleep disorders. According to estimates, up to 30% of Americans have insomnia.Unfortunately, many people with these conditions are never diagnosed or treated. If you have a thick neck, a poor sense of sleep, or spend a lot of time in bed late at night, you may have sleep apnea.

Spouses may be the first to recognize the symptoms of these conditions; official diagnoses are usually made after a sleep study. If you're struggling with sleep apnea, then you might be able to benefit from a mask that's designed to keep the throat and nasal airways open.

Many people with insomnia are aware of the condition and don't know how to treat it. In a study, researchers analyzed a cognitive behavioral therapy program to help with insomnia. The results of the study revealed that participants who participated in the program experienced better sleep and better mood. They also improved their job satisfaction and were more helpful to their colleagues. The cost of the program was only a few hundred dollars, which means that it's a good investment.

Another overlooked tool for improving sleep is napping. Unfortunately, many leaders still view it as a waste of time. However, studies have shown that it can actually improve the quality of work by up to 20 minutes. A brief nap can boost cognitive processing and improve memory. It can also help people with difficult tasks during the day. A study revealed that a nap could improve memory by up to eight minutes.

In other cultures, taking a nap is considered a normal and desirable activity. In Japan, inemuri, or sleeping at work, is regarded as a positive activity. In Spain, midday siestas have been a part of the work-life for a long time. Some US leaders are also starting to embrace this type of rest.

Zappos' CEO, Tony Hsieh, is a proponent of napping. His company has a napping room for its employees, and other organizations such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers have also started offering this type of rest. Even if you don't get enough sleep, it's still important to promote good sleeping habits in your office. This can be done through regular cues from your subordinates. If you're bragging about your lack of sleep, make sure to avoid making light of it.