It’s widely known that sleep deprivation negatively impacts a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our ability to focus, handle stress, and think clearly are all at stake. No matter what your profession, not getting enough sleep has a negative impact on your performance. But when you are a sales professional or a training manager, it doesn’t just affect you – it affects your whole team.
Here are some of the results of sleep deprivation:
* High blood pressure
* Heart attack
* Stroke
* Obesity
* Psychiatric problems, including depression and other mood disorders
* Mental impairment
* Poor quality of life
For your health and your team’s, follow these critical steps to make sleep a priority.
Set a Bedtime Routine and Stick to It—Even on the Weekends
Prepping for bed starts early. Try to begin the process at the same time each evening. Follow these guidelines for a greater chance of success:
* Prohibit alcohol and caffeine consumption within several hours of your desired bedtime
* Exclude screen time one hour before bed
* Don’t do any exercise within three hours of when you want to sleep
* Wake up at the same time each day; don’t sleep in on weekends
Create a Restful Space
Cluttered bedrooms lead to cluttered (and restless) minds. Take some time to create a peaceful, tidy space in which to sleep. Invest in a good mattress and linens. After all, we spend about a third of our lives in bed – which justifies a more substantial investment into that part of our homes!
Consider Incorporating a Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness and meditation practices can lead to falling asleep more quickly and having better quality sleep. By managing stress and keeping you focused throughout the day, mindfulness can also improve performance in other areas.
It’s safe to say that sleep is one of the most influential factors in our daily performance. There’s no such thing as making up for lost sleep, so prioritizing it is crucial. For those in high-pressure sales jobs or people in charge of training programs, it’s even more important to take care of this easy to neglect need.
Ensure that you’re firing on all cylinders and aren’t running the risk of blowing a gasket when things get heated in the office – or when deadlines are looming. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your team. Follow the tips above, and work your way toward more restful nights and more productive days.
