photo of person who sleep has made them better joyfully welcoming rising sun

8 Powerful Ways Sleep Makes You Better at Life

By Jason Wooden, PhD | October 26, 2024

Yes, sleep can make you better but there’s a BIG disconnect

If you re like me, you want the best that life can offer whether it s relationships, education, careers, or other things we hold dear.

Maybe you re a high performer or just simply trying to make the best of every day, sleep is the X factor we all have to live our best life.

Unfortunately, too many of us take for granted the many benefits of deep restful sleep.

There s a long list of reasons people shortchange their sleep including restlessness, busy schedules, lack of time, and feeling overwhelmed.

You may feel that time is too limited during the work week and you really need the extra time to chill out at night.

Others find going to bed boring and feel there s something better to do

And then there s go-go crowd saying, you can sleep when you re dead .

While this might make sense in the moment, you’re actually cutting yourself short.

The truth is if you sleep more, you can do more, feel more, be more, and truly live more.

Let s take a look at the various ways sleep can work as an x-factor to truly make you better at life.

The 8 ways sleep can make you better at life

Looking for the extra edge in life?

Want to make the most of everyday?

Below you’ll find listed some pretty cool ways sleep can really make you better at life. Some are obvious and some not so obvious.

What should be obvious after reading through the list is that the time you spend sleeping at night is a great investment that can pay life-changing dividends when you’re awake!

photo of person having a productive workday after a good night of sleep

#1

Get More Done

Let’s be honest.

It’s hard to get things done when you’re dragging after a rough night of sleep.  Yet, we all have important stuff we need to do during our waking hours whether it’s in the classroom, on the job, or in our personal life.

Multiple studies have linked poor sleep to decreased productivity.   One study found that people who get less than 5 hours of sleep are 29% less productive.

A good night’s sleep can truly help get the most out of every day.

photo of person who can focus on work after a good night of sleep

#2

Improved Focus

When you’re tired, your mind doesn’t work as well as it should.  We all know from personal experience how much It’s harder to focus and think clearly after a bad night of sleep.

Recently, a study confirmed how poor sleep can make it harder for individuals to focus on specific information that they hear and drown out the rest.

Would you believe sleep deprivation has been found to affect the brain the same way as being drunk?

A good night’s sleep can sharpen your thinking skills and keep you on your “A” game.

cartoon showing person standing at crosswords deciding which way to go

#3

Better Decision Making

Every day we have to make decisions whether it’s for routine things or more serious matters.  A bad night of sleep can lead to impaired judgement and poor decision making.

One study found that sleep-deprived gamblers were more likely to expect gains and make light of losses.

Whether it’s a new job…

Dealing with relationship or family issues….

Or a major health decision…

After a good night of sleep, you’ll be able to focus and make your decision with a clearer mind which can lead to better outcomes!

photo of person waking up in a great mood after a good night of sleep

#4

Improved Mood and Outlook

In life, your mindset can make a big difference.

Did you know when you’re tired you’re more likely to feel anxious and down?  Studies show people who sleep poorly have more negative moods and fewer positive moods.

A negative outlook can affect how you think about an issue and the possible outcomes

After a bad night of sleep, the future can bleaker…

On the other hand, after a good night’s sleep, you feel you can take on the world!

photo of couple looking happy together

#5

Better Relationships

Relationships can tough be enough with the everyday challenges that come up in life.

Like other health issues, poor sleep can strain the strongest of relationships whether it’s with a spouse, kids, relatives, friends, or coworkers.  You’re more likely to overreact to situations and feel less optimistic about relationships.

And it’s harder to cope with the everyday ups and downs.

Why make things tougher than they already are?

When you’re feeling rested, relationships are more manageable, more enjoyable, and truly better.

#6

Improved Learning and Problem Solving

When you’re sleep-deprived, your ability to learn can drop by as much as 40%!

Also, sleep helps the brain process information and solve problems.

It’s not just waking up “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed”.  A good night of sleep can give you the extra edge in the classroom or on the job.

It’s also why it sometimes helps to “sleep on it”.

photo of well-rested man at work giving thumbs up

#7

Perform Better at School and Work

Speaking of focus, learning, and productivity…

It should be no surprise that sleep can also give you a performance edge at school or work.

Multiple studies have confirmed a link between sleep and academic performance.  A similar link has been confirmed for job performance.

Would you believe sleep is one of the strongest predictors of academic success?

In today’s fast paced do more with less world, sleep is truly an x factor for success.

#8

Stay Healthier and Live Better

It’s been said that your health is your wealth.

It’s hard to make the most of your days and enjoy life if you’re not well.

And feeling sick can really get you down.

Unfortunately, too many people don’t realize how sleeping poorly on an ongoing basis can increase your risk for health issues.

Sleeping too short or too long can increase your risk for diabetes.  People who sleep poorly are more likely to have a stroke or heart attack.

Sleeping less than 6 hours a night in midlife can increase your risk of dementia by 30%.

Poor sleep can also increase your risk for mental health challenges.

People with insomnia may have a 10-fold higher risk of depression.  Studies also suggest that sleep deprivation may worsen anxiety in some individuals.

So, you can see that when we’re sleeping better, we can stay healthier, feel better, and live better.

How to power up your sleep for a better life

Now that you’ve heard all the ways sleep makes you better, who would want to miss out on that?

If you’re missing out on sleep as an X factor, you’re not the only one.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep at night for optimal health and wellness.  Unfortunately, 1 in 3 adults currently struggle with insomnia.

Well, the good news is we know a lot about what you can do to improve your sleep.

Start with sleep hygiene, the everyday rules for healthy sleep:

  • keep consistent wake up & sleep times
  • avoid naps
  • exercise during the day
  • avoid large meals, alcohol, or stimulants such as caffeine before bedtime
  • maintain a regular bedtime routine
  • avoid using TVs, laptops, or other electronics before sleep
  • keep your bedroom dark, cool, quiet, & relaxing

Also, get a check up as things that happened to your body can affect sleep. 

A doctor can check for underlying health issues and sleep disorders.

Finally, have a chat with a mental health specialist if you struggle with stress, anxiety, or depression.

There’s a strong link between mood and sleep. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself like in a downward spiral.

Grandma was right – early to bed, early to rise, help makes you strong, healthy, and wise.

Do something every day so you can sleep a little bit better and live your best life.

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