The importance of getting a good night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is critical to our health and wellbeing. It’s a way for our bodies to recharge and refresh after a long day. Plus our lack of sleep has a big impact on our working lives.

In the UK, it’s estimated that 200,000 working days are lost due to low-quality sleep, which translates to roughly £40 billion a year in the UK. It’s a heavy cost, and shows just how many people are affected. Lack of sleep impacts our personal lives too, as the infographic below shows.

Sleep tips from the experts

By making small adjustments, however, it’s possible to overcome certain bad habits to get the sleep you need. Sleep expert Sharon Stiles recommends “ensuring you have enough exercise during the day, as we feel better after it, if not always whilst doing it, and avoid really bright lights in the evening because they confuse your body clock.”

Leadership consultant Anni Townend provides further tips: “Keep a notebook by the side of your bed. This means if and when you do wake up with something on your mind you can jot it down. Otherwise, it can end up keeping you awake. Listen to a favourite podcast, or a story, every night. This helps relax the mind as well as providing a rhythm and a sign that it is time to sleep.”

With sleep playing such an important role in our daily lives, small changes like the ones suggested here can have a big impact.