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Sleep is critical to peak performance
But most of us aren’t getting enough
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Sleep is critical to peak performance
But most of us aren’t getting enough
In 2018, organizations spent $366 billion on employee development. The investment in human capital is warranted, but research suggests that—within this investment—businesses are neglecting the most powerful, no-cost performance enhancer: Sleep.
In sports, experts suggest that the most consistent peak performers tend to also be those who consistently get enough high-quality sleep and have good sleep hygiene. This holds true for the world of work, too. As a recent article from Deloitte so aptly puts it: “You snooze, you win.”
Sleep relates to how we behave throughout the day, from what we eat to how well we can focus. Sleep impacts how we process our emotions, and how well we manage stress, which in turn impacts how we treat our colleagues. These fundamental sleep-related shifts in mindset and behaviors influence productivity, overall job performance, and our capacity for effective leadership. At scale, the impact of each employee’s sleep quality can critically impact the success of a business.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7–9 hours of sleep a night. But 20 percent of Americans sleep less than six hours per night. And 80 percent report struggling with sleep more than once a week, and waking up exhausted.
Sleep deprivation is common amongst modern humans, but it’s maladaptive. According to sleep scientist Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, “Human beings are the only species that deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no apparent gain.”
As a coach, I’ve heard so many achievement-oriented individuals say, “I could reach my goals if only I didn’t need to sleep.” The wish is understandable. Sleeping or attempting to sleep fills one-third of our lives.
The temptation to prioritize external tasks over healthy sleep extends to managers and organizations. Long work hours and staying plugged in outside of work is the norm. Nearly 20% of individuals work 12 hour days which makes it harder to fit in a full eight hours of sleep, especially considering that after-hours interaction with technology also disturbs sleep quality.
When working with leaders and individuals, I empathize with how hard it is, individually and organizationally, to truly support a non-negotiable eight hours of sleep. It means going against the grain, and potentially sacrificing the small “p” productivity of a single task or project, for the large “P” productivity of consistent sleep. It means consistently reminding oneself that the active and productive processes of the brain while sleeping are at least on par with the importance of (and arguably more important than) any single task.
But the unavoidable truth is that the need for sleep is undeniable, as vital as food and water, and even small deficits can have a big negative impact.
Many view sleep as a personal issue, which puts the onus purely on the individual to solve any struggles. But in fact, organizations play a tremendous role—for better or worse—in their employees’ sleep quality. The good news is there are many great resources filled with actionable advice for individuals, such as this helpful guide from the NY Times. Resources speaking to organizations are more limited.
Help your leaders prioritize the value of sleep with your organization with these six key strategies:
Whether we like it or not, sleep is an integral part of peak performance. A sleep-deprived workforce harms individuals and undermines organizational success. Solving the common problem of sleep deficits requires a multi-level approach involving organizations, individual leaders, and individual employees. Fortunately, there are simple strategies that can be employed at every level to support healthy sleep, and in turn, enable businesses to sustainably reach their full potential.
Create a plan for a healthier life with personalized guidance from our wellness coaches.
Create a plan for a healthier life with personalized guidance from our wellness coaches.
Sarah Greenberg is a psychotherapist and board certified leadership coach focused on workplace mental health, wellbeing, and prevention. She currently serves as the senior leader of Clinical Design at BetterUp. Sarah’s whole person approach is informed by her M.Ed in Prevention Science from Harvard University, as well as an advanced degree in mind-body counseling. Her work is often featured in Forbes, Inc, Business Insider, Psychology Today, BBC, and Fast Company, among other publications.
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