Sleep is More Important than Food

Why is sleep one of the first things we’re willing to sacrifice as the demands in our lives increase?

Out of our fundamental physical needs — food, sleep and exercise — sleep is the most important. If you nearly starved yourself for one week, you would feel weak and lose weight, yet overall you would be fine. If you did not exercise for one week, you may feel lethargic, yet you would also be fine. However, your body would not be able to sustain severe sleep deprivation for one week. You would not be able to think clearly or function properly.

Yet, we continue to live by a remarkable myth: sleeping one hour less each night will give us one more hour of productivity each day. In reality, research suggests that even small amounts of sleep deprivation takes a significant toll on our mood, our productivity, our cognitive capacity and our health.

Most people need at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Staying awake longer than 18 consecutive hours reduces your reaction time, short-term and long-term memory, ability to focus, decision-making capacity, cognitive speed and spatial orientation. Accumulated sleep deficit — by only getting five or six hours of sleep a night for several days in a row — magnifies these negative effects.

Harvard Business Review Author Tony Schwartz has gathered much research about the importance of sleep. He also cites several famous studies on sleep including Anders Ericcson’s study of violinists.

Tony Schwartz provides the following tips for making sleep a higher priority in your life:

1. Go to bed earlier, and at a set time.
2. Start winding down 45 minutes before you turn off the light.
3. Write down what is on your mind – especially unfinished to-do’s and unresolved issues – just before you go to bed.

For more tips on sleep and other forms of renewal, visit The Energy Project website.

About the Author

I'm Karen Lederman, founder and Brand President of Laser Skin & Wellness and Laser Consultants. A Columbus, Ohio, native and longtime Palm Beach County resident, I started my career in sales, appraisal, and design in the fine jewelry industry. Twenty years ago, my passion for health and wellness inspired me to build a business dedicated to helping others look and feel their best. My love of innovation led me to bring cutting-edge beauty and health technologies to the area, growing what began as a small hair removal practice into a comprehensive center for skincare, anti-aging, and integrative medicine. As my reputation grew, practices across the country sought my guidance, leading me to found Laser Consultants in 2003. I've since helped over 350 medical providers nationwide add aesthetics to their businesses. With more than 30 years of experience in sales, management, and marketing, I'm committed to empowering others in beauty and health. My husband and I are proud empty-nesters who love traveling the world and enjoying time at home with our two dogs.