Sleep – health, productivity and personal development.
Previously, I have published an article about how: Sleep is important for personal development.
Sleep is important for general health too. I have known this for a long time and one of the things that alerted me to it was a study I read years ago – possibly as long ago as 15-20 years or more – that showed that British truck drivers (lorry drivers) had a life expectancy of 56 and that this had been traced to the lack of sleep from which many suffer. Frankly, it was a wake up call.
I make sure I get enough sleep. Personally, I like to have as little sleep as possible, (why spend life in bed?) however I know that you cannot cheat life. Insufficient sleep will hinder good health; so what kind of life is that? And what kind of health issues are you setting yourself up for due to insufficient sleep?
Without good health, personal development is not going to do you as much good.
One of the problems with our society is that we can easily be bound by convention. (I like being an unconventional maverick, but not just for the sake of it). What I mean is that in some respects it is socially unacceptable in our culture to have afternoon naps for example – unless you are retired, infirm or elderly. Some call these naps “Nana naps” and the phrase is often accompanied by laughter.
I have a confession to make….I have been having “Nana naps” for years! Not every day, but when I need them. I am only 46 (may as well write 46 while I can, as soon I will be 47).
I let my body, within reason, govern when I have a sleep.
Interestingly, I am highly productive and get a lot done. Some reasons for this include that I do not waste time trying to work when I cannot give of my best.
Slogging away for some hours when you are tired will result in much less work being done, at a lower quality level. Smart eh! Yet in most corporate offices, if you announced that you were going for an afternoon nap then you would be seen as an ‘also ran’, half baked ‘performer’ or similar. It is not generally consider smart to have a rest.
Because I have a ‘Nana nap’ I awake with a crystal clear mind and lots of energy. I am able to get much more done in less time at a much higher quality level. I can also work later, and for longer. My health does not suffer. Good sleep is one reason my health is so good – I can’t remember when I last had a virus for example. I am hardly ever ill.
Seems smart to me. Get more done, at a better quality level and spend less time off sick, or infecting other people. Yet we laugh at the idea of business executives having a ‘Nana nap’.
Sleep is an investment in good health and quality productivity. Have more sleep, get more done, do it better and live longer, more healthily.
Anyway I will sign off now, Granny is calling. (But don’t tell her I called her that).
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