Do You Have Problems Sleeping?

02 May Do You Have Problems Sleeping?

You may hear stories of successful CEOs who get 3-4 hours of sleep and still rock it in the office day in and day out. Chances are good these stories represent less than 0.5% of all CEOs – and for good reason – because sleep is a necessity. If you skimp on sleep, you will inevitably impact your performance. This is why I make getting great sleep a top priority. I’ve implemented these changes in my life with amazing results. Get great sleep, perform at your best is the mantra I live by. Here are my little-known sleep “tricks”.

1. Set the right environment for optimal sleep. You want to consider what you sleep on, including your mattress, your pillows, even your sheets. I invested in an adjustable bed so I can be sure I am in the right position to sleep that will not cause me any discomfort the next day. There’s nothing worse than waking up with aches and pains from sleeping in the wrong or uncomfortable position the night before. Temperature is an important part of building the optimal sleep environment. If the thread count is too high, you may get too hot during the night. I recommend using bamboo sheets. Not only are they incredibly soft, but they are extremely breathable and help you regulate your body’s temperature as you sleep.
   
   
2. Eliminate all distractions in the bedroom. Your bedroom should be for sleep, not to do work, not even to watch TV. You want to train your body that when you get in bed, it is time to sleep, Avoiding electronics the last 30-45 minutes before bed is great practice to get your body calm and ready to relax. Blue light that is emitted from our electronics, including our cellphones can disrupt your sleep patterns. So, getting in the habit now of eliminating distractions and making your bedroom truly a sanctuary for sleep is the best thing you can do to improve your sleep.
   
   
3. Watch your pre-bedtime habits. You want to make the last hour of your day as restful and calm as possible. Answering work emails, calling that confrontational friend, or trying to finish a complex project aren’t the best ways to spend that time. Also, avoid eating heavy meals, drinking alcohol, and consuming caffeine right before bed. You want your body to be ready to relax and fall asleep and by amping your body up by introducing stress or making it work harder to digest food as you lay in bed, works against you getting a good night sleep.

Being a peak performer starts in your bedroom, every night. Get the best sleep you can, so you can perform at your best – every day. It’s that simple!