When it comes to running a successful business, in many cases, it’s all about making sure you are following healthy habits.
Good health habits can go a long way toward helping you perform at your best. One of those health habits is getting good sleep.
Not only do you need to eat well and exercise regularly, but it also helps for you to get a good night’s sleep.
How a Good Night’s Sleep Helps Your Business
You might be surprised to discover that a good night’s sleep is essential to the smooth function of your business.
Sleep is one of those things that helps you prepare for the following day. When you get a good night’s sleep, your body has time to rest and recover from the strains of the previous day.
Not only that, but sleep is good for your brain. Sleep is how your brain resets for the next day and how it processes all the things that have happened during the day.
A good night’s sleep also prepares you for what’s next. When you have the right amount of good sleep, you are more likely to make better decisions. Your mind is clearer, and you are less likely to make mistakes.
You are also more resilient when you have the right amount of sleep. It’s easier to cope with problems and anxieties when you have had the right sleep.
Overall, getting sleep is good for your health and for your business. So, what happens when there are things keeping you from a good night’s sleep?
You might be surprised at some of the things that could be holding you back. Here are five things to watch out for if you hope to get better sleep in the future:
1. Weekend Sleep Schedule
Do you keep a different sleep schedule during the weekend? I know that I do. Sometimes I sleep in an extra two or three hours of sleep on the weekend.
While it feels like a treat to sleep in, it can also mess you up during the rest of the week.
There’s a thing called Social Jet Lag that can weigh on you and end up affecting the rest of your life. You might end up staying up later to go out with friends and sleeping in longer.
You can end up off your game during the regular week, due to the way your weekend schedule messes with your sleep schedule. And as your sleep is off during the week, you might not have the same level of creativity or get the same things done.
On top of that, some studies indicate that your wonky weekend schedule could put you at a greater risk of weight gain and obesity.
2. Relationships
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did some research on sleep and found that people in relationships sleep better than those who are single.
While relationships bring many things to the table, one of them might be better sleep.
It’s not exactly clear why this would be. But it might make some sense. If you have healthy relationships and are content, you might be more likely to sleep better at night. Especially if you feel like you have support for your business venture.
3. Gender
If you are a woman, you might not be getting the sleep you need to function at your highest level.
Recent research suggesting the impact of sleep loss is greater on women than men really struck a chord with me because I am, in fact, a woman.
Women who have trouble sleeping are more likely than men to feel ill effects to their health, including depression — which can in turn impact your ability to run your business.
Women also have slightly more complex brains, and so they need between 15 and 20 minutes more sleep each night in order to properly rest and repair.
It’s an interesting thought, when you get right down to it. Because sleep is essential to the way we make decisions and process information, it’s vital to ensure that we get what we need. So, if you are a woman, make sure you really are getting the sleep you need.
Don’t feel like you need to get up at the same time as a male counterpart. Instead, get the sleep you need for the right type of function.
4. Food and Drink
Part of getting a good night’s sleep is watching out for the wrong types of food and drink before bed.
A lot of us think of a little alcohol as a good “night cap” to help with sleep. Interestingly, though, alcohol doesn’t actually promote good quality sleep.
Alcohol can actually help you fall asleep faster, but it doesn’t actually mean you’re getting good sleep later. Alcohol triggers competing types of brain patterns that can reduce the amount of restorative sleep you get when you close your eyes. You get less REM sleep, which is important for restoring your mind and body.
You should also watch out for types of food and drink that can keep you awake and alert. It’s not just about staying away from caffeine, either. Peppermint is known for its ability to help with alertness. You could have trouble falling asleep if you have peppermint tea (or even smell peppermint toothpaste), which can help you stay alert and focused.
Instead, try to stay away from food and drink likely to perk you up. Soothing smells and flavors are a better choice if you just have to have something.
5. Air Pollution
Finally, your sleep could be impacted by air pollution. Air pollution can lead to breathing problems that make it harder to stay asleep.
Your good night’s sleep could be damaged by the pollution around you. I’m fortunate that I live in Idaho, and there is very little pollution where I am. However, if you live in a major city, you might be impacted by the pollution and not even realize it.
While there’s not a ton you can do about the outside air, you can work to improve the indoor air quality in your home.
You can do things like stop burning candles and incense, which put particulates in the air.
Look for HEPA air filters to help keep the particulates lower. Have your heating and cooling systems checked and serviced regularly so that they work better.
Other things that can improve air quality in your home include:
- Clean up the clutter
- Remove carpeting if you can and use other types of flooring
- Keep shoes at the door, rather than wearing them around the house
- Dust and vacuum regularly
- Wash bedding each week
You might be surprised at how much better you sleep when you take steps to ensure that your home’s air quality is improved as much as possible.
Make a Good Night’s Sleep a Priority
As a business owner, it’s vital that you get a good night’s sleep as often as possible. Make it a priority. Your business will be in better shape when you are alert and ready to tackle the issues of the day.
Plus, on top of being better at your business, you will also be healthier and happier in your “regular” life. Make it a point to sleep well, and other areas of your life and business will improve.
