SLEEP: How Poor Sleep Hurts Us (Part 2/3)

You may believe you’re one of the rare few who doesn’t need much sleep.

You might be tempted to power through your week on minimal rest in order to maximize productivity. But even if you don’t think lack of sleep affects you in the short term (it does), it certainly hurts you in the long run.

Here are a list of negative side effects of poor sleep from Healthline:

1. Reduced short and long-term memory
2. Reduced concentration, creativity, and problem solving skills
3. Increase in drastic mood swings
4. Increased risk of physical accidents
5. Weakened immune system overall
6. Higher blood pressure
7. Higher risk of diabetes
8. Higher risk of heart disease
9. Weight gain due to reduced leptin
10. Lower sex drive
11. Poor balance

Even if you have been a high achiever with poor sleep, imagine for a moment how much more you could accomplish well-rested.

Realize that everything you’ve achieved so far has been in spite of your poor sleep, not because of it.

How it works

There are countless little adjustments you can make to optimize your sleep.

Different things will make sense for you at different times in your life and career.

This challenge isn’t a pass or fail thing—every little adjustment you make will positively impact your sleep and the quality of your life as a whole.

We hope that through this challenge you will discover which adjustments help you the most, and which ones aren’t worth the trouble.

Some notes

Like investing, there’s no replacement for time when you sleep.

When quality sleep is cut short, it loses its potency.

If you have a set wake up time, then make sure you begin your evening routine 9 hours in advance. If you don’t have a set wake up time, then set your alarm for 9 hours from when you begin winding down.

• Please note: I’m a copywriter, not a doctor. While all of these tips are from reputable sources, this is not meant to cure any disease or condition. If you’re having trouble sleeping, consult your doctor.

Are you an overachiever?

Continue to next part: SLEEP (Part 3)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3