Rest is an essential component of working well and working smart. In this article, you’ll learn why rest is important and how to get more of it so that you can be more productive.
The first step is to understand your sleep needs. This means figuring out how many hours of quality sleep you need to get per night in order for the following day’s work and tasks not only to be manageable but also enjoyable.
Studies show that most well-rested people perform better on cognitively demanding tasks than those who aren’t.
The second step is to make sure you remove any obstacles to sleep. This includes making sure you have a set bedtime, removing stimulating electronics from your bedroom, and not using any artificial light within two hours of going to sleep.
The third step is to know what gets in the way of restful nights:
• Stress from work or home life
• Inconsistent schedule with too many late-night activities
• Spending too much time on social media
Get at least seven hours of sleep each night, and set a regular bedtime to ensure that you are getting enough rest every day. Make your room as dark as possible so that nothing is stimulating or distracting before trying to fall asleep.
The reward for getting enough sleep is that you will be more productive and effective at work. In order to be at your best, it would definitely help if your brain was rested. You will also be less irritable and more likely to have a positive outlook on life.
Finally, you may find that simple tasks become easier as you’re able to think more clearly and pay attention for longer periods of time. In addition, you’ll be better rested, so it’s easy to do the important things instead of being easily distracted because your brain is too tired.
Aim for seven or eight uninterrupted hours of sleep per night as a general rule-of-thumb (though this can vary depending on your age). Then get ready to watch your productivity shoot through the roof.