What are the consequences of going to work sleep deprived? Are you cranky? Do you find it difficult to focus? These symptoms are well known, and sometimes we shrug them off because we need to get things done more than we need to sleep.
A new study has demonstrated a new problem with lack of sleep - when you don't sleep, you can't remember things. As scientists have suspected for a while, they know now that during deep sleep our brains take our short term memories (things that happened during the day) and re-encodes them in the long term memory areas. You can read the details here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915174506.htm
As usual, scientists confirmed the theory by harassing rats in a lab - in this case making it impossible for them to sleep deeply. Then they found that the rats couldn't learn very well. Their memories were shot.
We rely upon our brains to take what we've seen, heard, and learned and translate those things into usable data. When we don't sleep - that data gets lost. This is why all night "cram" sessions prior to an exam are rarely as effective as studying followed by a good night's sleep.
Are you a sleep deprived manager? A few tips to help you get your snooze on:
1) Begin to wind down at least an hour before bed. Dim the lighting to increase melatonin - which will help you feel sleepy.
2) Avoid caffeine and food within 2-3 hours of bed time.
3) Invest in comfortable clothes, bedding, and keep the room at a good temperature for you. Many people sleep better in a slightly cooler room.
4) If you can't sleep, don't force it. Focus on relaxing yourself physically. Relaxing each part of your body starting with your toes can also help.
5) If your thoughts are keeping you awake, write them down before bed.
6) If your body is keeping you awake or you wake up tired, see a sleep specialist for a consultation.
Sleep - a little thing that can make a big difference in how your brain functions. Remember - a sleepy brain is a dysfunctional brain. :)
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