A lack of sleep can have a negative effect on productivity. Sleep loss can make it harder to maintain focus at work, attention, and vigilance. The body will be using more energy to stay awake, having a bad effect on productivity in the workplace. Not to mention the decreased level of communication with colleagues also, which can lead to poor work outcomes. Sleep deprivation is something many people suffer with 1 in 3 adults in the United States struggling to sleep according to the National Institutes of Health.
If you need help improving your sleep, consider some sleep coaching to help you sleep better.
How much sleep should I be getting?
According to the NHS, a healthy adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep to be the most productive This will lead the individual to feel alert and ready for the working day ahead, and this also brings mental and physical health benefits too. If you are tired you potentially could struggle with daily life, which will have a negative impact on your mental health.
Keep on reading to find out more about how a lack of sleep hinders productivity.
Your concentration levels dip
One of the main ways a lack of sleep hinders productivity is because your concentration levels dip. A lack of sleep slows down your thought processes, resulting in you feeling easily confused. This can affect complex decisions in the workplace, especially tasks that require logical reasoning.
You cannot take in new information
A lack of sleep can lead you to not take in any new information. News in Health claims that your ability to take in new things drops by 40% when you have had no sleep, which is a significant number. This can hinder productivity because actions could be missed in team meetings, as well as important information about new business.
How to fix your sleep?
The good news is that for many, there are ways you can fix your sleep to not only improve your productivity but also your well being. You can decide to:
- Wake up at the same time each day.
- Go to bed earlier, but no more than 8 hours before you start your day.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages in the evening before bed.
- Cut down on screen time.
- Exercise more throughout the day, even if this is a brief walk.
We hope these tips and tricks will help you to fix your sleep. If your sleeping pattern has improved, then it’s more likely your productivity levels will improve too. If you are still struggling with sleep, do not hesitate to get in touch with your GP.
