Many people underestimate the importance of sleep. Sleep is critical to your success. Getting the right amount of sleep can mean the difference being poor or rich; having bad, average, or great relationships; being a low or a high performer; finding your work and life meaningful and fulfilling or not. A lack of sleep or too much sleep can and will majorly impact all areas of your life. Quantity of sleep isn’t the only factor. Quality, consistency, and frequency of your sleep are just as important. Your sleep need to be undisturbed and in a good environment in order to wake up refreshed.
The consistency of your sleep is probably the next most important factor after quantity. Keeping a consistent bed and wake time is extremely important. Many people understand having a consistent bedtime but underestimate that value of having a consistent wake time. By going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday, your body will better keep a number of it’s natural cycles/rhythms. So many people love to sleep in on the weekends, many of whom don’t know or understand the negative effects of doing so. The only time you should sleep in is if you have sleep debt. Sleeping in should be temporary, not a frequent event. If it is frequent due to sleep debt, you should get serious about modifying your sleep schedule in order to avoid acquiring sleep debt.
Some people find it helpful or even necessary to nap while others have issues sleeping at night if they nap. When an adult needs to take a nap, it is generally a sign of them not getting enough sleep, a poor diet, poor physical fitness, and/or their activity level. The foods you eat, the time you eat specific foods, and combinations of different foods can all have a huge impact on your energy levels and your desire and/or necessity to nap.
Your fitness level you will generally impact your metabolism, sleep requirements, and energy levels. Many people think that having higher activity levels will invoke the need for more sleep and cause them to be more tired. In many cases it is actually the opposite. Higher activity levels help with physical fitness and increase the efficiency of your body, resulting in less required sleep and higher energy levels. Don’t believe it? Next time you are feeling tired get up and do jumping jacks, take a brisk walk, go for jog, or something else to get you really moving and then see how much energy you have afterwards. I bet you will will feel more energized and awake.
Side effects of too little or too much sleep:
-Accidents
–Car Accidents
–Accidents at home
–Accidents at work
-Addiction
–Drugs abuse
–Caffeine addiction
–Stimulant addiction
–Energy drink addiction
-Decreased levels of
–Ambition
–Confidence
–Energy
–Libido
–Productivity
–Self-esteem
-Diet
–Change in appetite
–Increased coffee consumption
–Increased energy drink consumption
–Increased fast food consumption
–Increased junk food consumption
–Increased soda consumption
-Mental clarity issues
–Forgetfulness
–Inability to focus
–Loss of concentration
-Lower levels of attention to detail
-Health issues
–Diabetes
–Depressed immune system
–Fatigue
–High blood pressure
–Increased rate of aging
–Shorter life expectancy
–Weight gain
–Worsen Sleep Apnea
-Mental health/disorders
–Anxiety
–Boredom
–Depression
–Feelings of frustration
–Feelings of laziness
–Irritability
–Mood swings
–Paranoia
–Insomnia
–Stress
