As a business owner, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is get enough rest. Unfortunately, we don’t often think about rest that way. Too often, when we are starting or growing a company, we decide that sleep is something we can do without.
However, it’s important to realize that sleep is important, and not just in a general work-life balance way.
Sleep is Good for Your Physical Health
Sleep is a major part of your physical health. According to the National Institutes on Health, sleep is part of the process of repairing blood vessels and your heart. If you are deficient in sleep for a long time, it can actually result in higher blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes and kidney disease, and an increased risk of stroke.
Keeping your body healthy and fit is an important part of a good lifestyle and an important part of running your business effectively.
Sleep is Good for Your Mental Health
Your mental health also benefits from sleep. It’s good for the brain, allowing it to catalog information. Pushing yourself without sleep only stymies creativity and causes other problems. Not only that, but your decision-making ability suffers when you’re not catching enough Z’s.
According to one small study, lack of sleep can impair you in ways similar to drinking or using marijuana. Your ability to make good decisions is reduced as you become increasingly tired. On top of that, you might have other problems if you don’t get enough nighttime rest.
Mental fatigue can also make it harder for your to maintain a positive attitude and that can impact your business as well. If you aren’t positive, you are more likely to fail at your business, and bring on additional problems. Do your best to get a good night’s rest, and you might be surprised at the positive impact on your life.
Keep Your Relationships Healthy and Positive
The physical and mental health associated with good sleep can’t be overstated, even on a personal level. How do your relationships proceed when you are in a good mood? Your personal life will be much better when you get enough sleep. Being tired can result in stress and anxiety that transfers to your loved ones. You are more likely to find fault with your partner and snap at your children and others when you are tired.
If you want to continue to grow your business and maintain your personal life, make time for adequate sleep.
How Much Sleep is Adequate?
Getting enough sleep is more about personal preference and health than anything else. Various studies put the requirement for adequate sleep anywhere between six hours and nine hours. Really, it depends on your own body and health preferences. I know that I do better when I get between six and a half hours and seven hours of sleep. I know others who need a full nine hours of sleep to function at their best.
Try some tests to see what it means for you to get enough sleep. See how you feel with different bed and wake times. Once you hit on a formula that works for you, you can make sleep part of a healthy living schedule that helps your business and your personal life.
