Shane Dobbing http://www.sleepypeople.com 3m 724 #sleepsuccess
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Going To Bed In Order To Be Successful
The older we get, the more we begin to realise just how important a good night’s sleep is.
After spending very little time in the land of nod, the next day of work is often far from productive.
This is because, as the National Sleep Foundation suggests, adults need around 8 hours of sleep each night in order to let our bodies relax and recharge.
By continually getting less than the recommended amount, our bodies simply don’t get the chance to recover, ultimately meaning we can’t function 100% the following day.
It also seems as if a lack of sleep affecting people’s productivity is becoming a widespread issue.
Take a look at this BBC News article which discusses how tired employees are costing the UK economy over £40billion each year.
Clearly, sleep deprivation is becoming an increasing problem, especially if you intend on being successful in your current line of work.
Getting the recommended amount of sleep is something which many successful people take seriously.
This list from The Huffington Post perfectly shows how incredibly successful people value their sleep. The list includes the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet.
One of the best ways to ensure you get a better night’s sleep is to have better pre-sleep rituals.
Many of us have terrible bedtime habits, such as using smartphones and tablets in bed, which only keep us awake, rather than letting our bodies switch off.
If this sounds familiar then fear not, because sleepypeople.com has created a handy infographic to help you improve your routine.
It’s called ‘13 Things Successful People Do Before Going To Bed’ and you can take a look at it below.
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13 things successful people do before going to bed
THEY PLAN OUT THEIR SLEEP
Planning a sleep schedule means you can do your best to ensure you get enough sleep and get up early enough to be productive.
THEY WRITE A JOURNAL
Writing in a journal before bed allows you to release all of your thoughts onto the page so that they won’t disrupt your sleep later on.
THEY READ NON-WORK RELATED BOOKS
What better way to escape the stresses of work life than immersing yourself in some brilliant fiction. Advocates of this include Barack Obama and Bill Gates.
THEY TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Taking a look at some old photos can spring memories and provide a helping of nostalgia which can help us switch off from work in time for bed.
THEY UNPLUG
We all know how just a two-minute look on Facebook can turn into a half an hour, also the light emitted by smartphones, tablets, and TV screens is proven to disrupt your body clock.
THEY MEDITATE
Meditation is a proven way to get a better night’s sleep because it helps us clear our minds which is especially important after a stressful day of work.
THEY WRITE DOWN THEIR DAILY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Give yourself a daily pat on the back by writing down any achievements, great or small, from the day just passed.
THEY MAKE A TO-DO LIST
A list is a great way of setting yourself little goals for the day ahead and can give you a confidence boost as you tick them off.
THEY SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Bringing work home with you physically or mentally often isn’t a great idea. Clear your head and spend time having fun with family and friends.
THEY STICK TO A HYGIENE RITUAL
Having a bedtime ritual as simple as brushing your teeth and washing your face can send psychological signals to alert your body it’s time to sleep
THEY DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL
While a nightcap might seem like the best way to clock off, it actually disrupts our sleep quite heavily. Avoiding booze will help you have a refreshing night’s sleep.
THEY TAKE A WALK
There are few better ways to clear your head than a brisk evening walk. A late night stroll can give you time to reflect or catch up with a friend.
THEY PREPARE THEIR BREAKFAST
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and shouldn’t be skipped. Preparing something as simple as your cereal bowl can go a long way.
Brought to you by SleepyPeople.com
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