Sleep Your Way To The Top. Your Way.

One of our all time favourite women here at The Diamond Boss is Arianna Huffington, the chair, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group. We read and loved her book Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder. In it she talks a lot about the importance of getting enough sleep, and it has everyone at the Diamond Boss re-considering our own sleeping habits.

Studies have shown that women need more sleep than men and that we suffer more than men, both mentally and physically, if we don’t get enough of it. As well as a higher risk of heart disease, depression and psychological problems, sleep-deprived women have a higher risk of blood clotting, which can lead to inflammation and stroke.

In contrast (as Huffington hilariously puts it) for men, sleep deprivation has almost become a kind of virility symbol. And it’s no wonder, as the state of a man’s health doesn’t seem to be as closely linked to how much they sleep. Infact studies have shown that men demonstrate no increased risk of developing the conditions that affect women when they are sleep deprived.
With our natural tendency towards multi-tasking, it is important for us to be at our best in order to spot the iceberg before it hits the boat.

Here are some Diamond Boss tips for a great night’s sleep:

#1 Make it a priority

Deciding to get your 8 hours of sleep a night is going to take commitment. Resist putting work, chores, TV or even a good book, ahead of sleep.

#2 Develop a routine

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on the weekends. Studies suggest that going to sleep at 10pm and waking up at 6am works the best with our body’s natural rhythms. Developing a ritual that you follow each night before going to sleep (e.g. journaling, reading, paced breathing, and drinking non-caffeinated tea) can also help prepare your body for rest.

#3 Make your bed a “sleep only” zone

Most of us have converted our beds into an all-purpose area – especially those of us living in smaller spaces. Eating in bed, watching TV in bed, or even working in bed can make it more difficult to sleep at night. Avoid eating and exercise within three hours of going to sleep as this gets your body energized, not ready for a good night’s sleep. Although regular exercise can make it easier for you to sleep eventually, you should make sure to leave your body plenty of time to wind down afterwards.

#4 Turn off the technology

The 20 minutes before you sleep is crucial. If spent watching TV or surfing Facebook it can seriously slow down your ability to fall asleep and also effect the quality of your rest. So buy yourself a manual alarm clock and leave your phone at the door.

We will leave you with these wise words from Arianna herself:

“I encourage you to notice how sleep (or lack thereof) is affecting your life, your career, your relationships, or your health. What would your body feel like if you had more of it? I encourage you to start your own nightly sleeping routine to see how you feel. Try not to exchange “success” for sleep or sacrifice your health for “productivity.” Instead, give your body the gift of sleep, and success and productivity will follow.”