In my personal coaching I often concentrate on sharing tips with clients that will have the most immediate and profound impact on their life. I do this because I find that most people have little patience for long-term goals. They want results quickly. So over the past 2 years I have kept a log of what works on everybody, quickly and surely.
Tip no. 3: Sleep More
Thats right. Sleep more. That is what I advise my business coaching clients. And it has a dramatic positive effect on their life. In just 7 days! They become more energetic, alert, creative and effective at work. And smarter! Albert Einstein himself needed 10 hours sleep everynight.
Most personal development guru’s suggest that we sleep less to get more done. But in a world where we are getting less and less sleep, our issue is not too much sleep. Our issue is not enough sleep. Most people underestimate how important sleep is to their health. They eat well, exercise but forget the third branch of relaxation. Sure, some people do yoga and meditation to relax BUT let me tell you, sleep is far more effective than both those practices. In fact, sleep is the best meditation!
Some benefits of sleep include:
- Prevents cancer
- Improves memory
- Helps you live longer
- Helps you lose more weight
- Keeps your heart healthy
- Reduces inflammation in your body
- Lowers stress levels, anxiety and depression
- Helps you recover after exercise
The best thing about sleep is that it’s free! It’s the best supplement that money can’t buy.
The best way to get the best sleep is to connect with nature before you go to sleep and after you wake up in the morning. In other words, go for a walk in parklands first thing and last thing. Another way is to get the most sun in the first two hours of the day. (I have some friends who also swear by melatonin supplements.)
And remember that one hour sleep before midnight is worth 2 hours sleep after midnight. Which means that the best time to sleep is between 10pm – 7am.
So whether your objective is improved health or improved work performance you cannot go past sleep as one of the most effective lifestyle changes you can make.