Sleep for Success

There is a cost to an inadequate sleep schedule. This cost runs beyond the couple of dollars you spend on an extra shot of espresso or the sugary drinks and snacks you are more likely to reach for when running on five hours of sleep. This cost is measured in real dollars and actual economic damage that occurs due to a poor sleep schedule. The National Sleep Foundation found that sleep deprivation costs the American economy $63.2 billion dollars a year in productivity. This is a staggering number, but pales in comparison to the quality of life so many of us are routinely missing out on when we don’t sleep well or push ourselves on little sleep. Several sleep studies show that humans lose cognitive brain function on a regular basis simply by not getting enough sleep. Many sleep experts hope that our next big step toward a healthier and more productive society will be to stress the importance of sleep for personal and professional function and development.

Defining the Issue

First, let’s break down some definitions. Productivity, as used above to relate to the cost of sleep deprivation, is a measurement of input required for certain outcomes. Basically, the measurement of how long and how much effort goes in to achieve the end result of a certain task. Cognitive brain function is how our brain acquires and retains knowledge. Cognitive functions include reasoning, language, memory, attention span, ability to solve problems, retention of material learned, and other skills essential to getting the most out of our day and performance at our jobs or at home. Our brain’s ability to learn and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of our lives is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, we handicap this wonderful asset by depriving ourselves of sleep or not getting the quality of sleep our brain deserves.

Working Memory

The first aspect of cognitive brain function that suffers from inadequate sleep comes in the form of lost attention and “working memory”. This includes our verbal communication, problem-solving and our ability to solve problems in a timely manner. “Brain Fog” is a term often used to describe troubles in such areas. These instances can even occur on small scales that undermine our ability to perform work optimally. Studies have shown that students made better decisions and burned out less when they received on average 7-9 hours of sleep per night. For working adults, these results were echoed by fewer errors and higher productivity found among those who felt they got sufficient rest.

Reaction and Motivation

Our cognitive function is not only measured by the errors we make and how quickly we are able to respond to situations, but it is also measured by how we feel about our decision making and how we react to the results. The emotional side of cognitive brain function is also deeply affected by sleep. Motivation strongly impacts our performance and productivity. Sleep deprivation slashes our motivation and makes it statistically unlikely that we’ll experience anything other than bursts of motivation. Most jobs and life goals require motivational stamina. Without the proper amounts of sleep our brains are poorly equipped to enable sustained motivational stamina.

Getting enough sleep is vital for our brains to work at a highly functioning capacity. While the average adequate sleep time in most studies falls between 6-9 hours for adults, it really comes down to how much sleep you need to not feel sleepy. While it may seem counterproductive to switch off the computer early or not set your alarm an hour early, the long term benefits are monumental. With proper sleep schedules our brains are more powerful tools capable of limitless creativity and high performance.

The first step to enjoying the quality sleep your mind depends on is creating a sleep routine that preps brain chemistry for tranquil periods of reset and recharge. Combining the calming properties of CBD with herbal adaptogens like passionflower and lemon balm, CALM Mind & Body Hemp Extract is an all-natural addition for any nighttime routine. Formulated not to knock you out, this rest and relax formula works by easing the body into natural states of sleep. We suggest taking CALM roughly 30-45 minutes prior to bed and in unison with your sleep routine habits.