March 15 is World Sleep Day. If you’ve ever had a sleepless night you know how vital sleep is to your energy levels, your concentration and your overall wellbeing. So this Sleep Day we’ve decided to give you the lowdown on how you can use sleep as a strategy for career advancement, personal wealth and wellness.
Most of us seriously underestimate the importance of sleep. Along with nutrition and exercise, sleep is perhaps the most fundamental of the pillars of wellness that support our efforts of achieving health, happiness and personal growth.
And for those of us who are not getting enough sleep, we are most likely losing out on a key tool for productivity, efficiency and wealth. Cheryl Fingleson, certified sleep coach from Cheryl The Sleep Coach is seeing a growing number of adult clients who acknowledge that sleep is a key tool for improving career success, and are seeking ways to leverage efficiency, productivity and mindfulness.
“What’s fascinating,” says Fingleson, “is the link between sleep, career success and money.” As it turns out, sleep deprivation is not only bad for your health; it’s bad for your bank account too.
There are millions of people in Australia whose work lives — and bank accounts — are diminished by sleeplessness. “I hear people say, ‘If I want to make money, I need to sleep less,’” says Cheryl Fingleson. “But in fact the opposite is true. You need enough sleep, and you need to get it consistently, to improve the efficient quality of your working hours and to help you make good financial and professional decisions, as well as avoid bad risks.”
6 Hacks to Sleep Your Way to Success
Listen to music
Soothing sounds and white-noise machines can be helpful, and some research suggests that high-frequency music aids deep sleep.
Turn down the thermostat
At around 9 in the evening, your core body temperature drops to facilitate sleep. Cool off your bedroom and wear light pyjamas all year, or even sleep in the nude.
Routine and consistency
It is imperative to have a good consistent sleep hygiene. Try for a regular bedtime, this will help your circadian rhythm and you will unwind easier before bed.
Have a massage
Massage is a powerful sleep aid. “It increases your body’s production of seratonin and oxytocin, the feel-good neurotransmitters. No wonder it can help us glide off to dreamland,” Fingleson says.
Make a date with sleep.
Everyone’s used to an alarm to wake in the morning, but try it as a reminder to wind down at night. Why not set an evening alarm to tackle the problem of bedtime procrastination?
Kick the sleeping-pill habit
Find ways to wean yourself from pharmaceutical medication and try melatonin or magnesium instead.
Cheryl concludes: “It is imperative that adults get the right amount of sleep,” “Sleep is vital for growth, happiness, success and prosperity. I advise my clients’ to take control of their sleep routine regardless of their circumstances. It’s not worth deferring, as sleep loss and poor routine have been proven to have a significant impact on achievement and productivity. There are plenty of tools available to improve sleep. And if you can’t do it alone, there is professional help on hand too. Don’t be afraid to ask!”
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