An Investment Every Entrepreneur Should Make

Smiling woman waking up in bed.

As an entrepreneur, a typical day can be full of surprises; you frequently experience a whirlwind of unexpected deadlines, new strategies and ideas, and a rapidly growing to-do list. Every day is different, and none are uneventful.

The start-up lifestyle is often draining. You’re most likely exhausted by the end of the day, but still find it difficult to quiet your mind. As a result, you might be missing out on one of the most important actions you can take, not only for your health, but for your business’s overall success: sleep.

Continue reading to learn more about why sleep is incredibly important for entrepreneurs, its overall benefits, and how to improve your sleep quality.

Why Your Slumbers Lead to Success

It’s universally known that everyone needs sleep; the amount of sleep you get affects everything from physical health to overall mood.

Entrepreneurs tend to sacrifice sleep in order to pursue their ventures and get everything done in a reasonable amount of time; however, when you’re running on basically no sleep, the quality of your work can truly suffer. You’re more likely to make costly mistakes and poor decisions.

We’ll share some of the main reasons entrepreneurs should invest in getting a good night’s rest.

Great Idea? Sleep On It!

According to a study conducted in 2018 called “Rest, Zest, and My Innovative Best: Sleep and Mood as Drivers of Entrepreneurs’ Innovative Behavior,” researchers found that “sleep helps to renew resources, resulting in greater cognitive performance and effort investment in innovative behavior.”

When you have a terrific idea for your existing business or next new venture, write it down and then take the needed time to rest and reflect. In fact, sleep even helps you formulate solutions. So, if your idea isn’t quite fully developed yet, catching those z’s could be your answer. An article by Psychology Today mentions, “Sleeping on a problem apparently allows for a restructuring of the brain connections, "setting the stage for the emergence of insight.""

Stay ZzZzen…

Prioritizing getting a good night’s sleep is a helpful way to prevent burnout. The consequences of not getting enough sleep are plenty: irritability, restlessness, higher stress levels, and so forth.

The last thing entrepreneurs want to deal with is poor mental health and even more stress on top of their busy schedules. In the long run, quality sleep can help entrepreneurs remain more relaxed, rational, and productive in high-pressure situations.

Sleep for Strength and Well-Being

In addition to its effects on mental health, lack of sleep can also result in a variety of other health issues. Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School states that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to “obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.”

Sleep expert Dr. Michael Twery warns that not getting enough sleep can weaken our immune systems and negatively impact blood pressure, breathing, appetite, and so on.

All of this is more than enough reason for entrepreneurs to invest in sleep. If you feel as if you have no time now, imagine the time it will take to overcome the issues mentioned above. Putting your health first will save you time and money in the long run.

Suggestions For Your Next Snooze

Develop a Consistent Routine

Go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning to help reset your internal clock. This sounds daunting, but just know that it takes patience and self-discipline. Don’t feel pressured to develop the perfect schedule. Everyone’s routine is unique; choose a bedtime and wake-up time that works best for you.

Try Relaxation Techniques

If you’re struggling to develop a consistent routine because you find it difficult to rest and unwind at night, there are plenty of relaxation techniques to try. These can be anything from cracking open a book to practicing deep breathing. Other examples of relaxation techniques include guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation.

Cut out Caffeine Late in the Day

Sorry, coffee lovers! However, to be fair, no one is telling you to cut out caffeine completely. Just try to resist that late afternoon cup and replace it with something healthier such as a glass of ice water with fresh-squeezed lemon or some herbal tea.

Invest in Quality Sleep Products

There are a plethora of helpful sleep products in which to invest. Make sure to choose the right mattress for your body and sleep habits. You could also find comfortable pillows, sheets, duvets, white noise machines, essential oil humidifiers; the list goes on.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Sometimes you can try all of the above and more, but still find it difficult to maintain a high quality of sleep. There is professional help out there in case you may be suffering from any sleep disorders or mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. Remember, you are not alone.

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