“As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, it is perhaps more important to have a plan for rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep.” ― Akiroq Brost
Have you ever been exhausted but unable to sleep as your thoughts race while you lie in bed, keeping you from getting the sleep that you deserve? Or, maybe you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, but you’re not sleeping long enough because of your busy schedule. These are common problems that many ignore but it is important to prioritize your health and manage your sleeping schedule to perform at your absolute best.
Why do I need enough sleep?
Are you getting enough sleep every night? Well, 1 out of 3 adults in America are not getting adequate rest on a regular basis. I know many people are extremely busy and rarely have time to themselves due to work, children, expenses, and other obligations that hinder their ability to get enough rest, but sleep is one of the most important aspects to functioning. Sleep allows your body and mind to recharge, improves concentration, productivity, thinking, and it helps keep the body healthy by fighting off diseases or illnesses.
What lack of sleep can do to you
A good night’s rest is equally as important as eating a balanced meal, having a nutritious diet, and exercising. Adults who are 18 to 65 years old require 7-9 hours of sleep regularly to function adequately, and if they do not get a good night’s rest, this can heavily impact their mental and physical health. It was reported that adults who sleep less than 7 hours were more likely to report being obese, and physically inactive. Lack of sleep is also linked to depression, increased inflammation, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart issues, irritability, and makes it harder to control emotional outbursts or show empathy.
Tips for getting the hours of sleep needed
This is the hardest tip but also the most important, make sleep a priority! There's always a focus to take care of others like your family, friends, and career, but the most important person we need to take care of is ourselves. Make a realistic bedtime schedule and stick to it every night, even on weekends, and keep a consistent wake time. Keep a comfortable temperature setting, sleep in a low lit environment, stay away from sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and large meals before bedtime, and put away bright screens such as phones, TV’s, and tablets 30 minutes before bed. These tips may seem tedious but creating healthy sleeping habits means allowing yourself to prioritize your well-being and ensuring that you become the best version of yourself.
Why is this important to Daily Work?
Adequate sleep is now a widely recognized health and wellness practice. As an organization that strives to honor the whole person, we know that staying healthy and balancing the demands of work and life can be challenging, but also critical to keeping a job. People who are sleep-deprived may not be able to arrive at work on time or perform the job as required, leading to job loss.
Daily Work assists people who are juggling many responsibilities, such as caring for grandparents, partners, and children, leaving little time to sleep and care for themselves. Through promoting healthier sleeping habits and getting adequate rest, we hope that our job seekers are well rested and in the best position possible to both find and keep employment. If you are in search of employment or know anyone who is, please rest well and then give us a call to set up an appointment! To read more about the importance of sleep, check out the following research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
