Let Me Sleep On It: The Importance of REM Sleep
We all know what it’s like to work 20-hour days when launching an entrepreneurial effort or running a business. There’s always one more project to complete, one more task to cross off of the ‘to do’ list, or one more idea on how to impress the small business investors that we’ll meet. We then stumble off to bed for what amounts to a quick nap—and get right back to it, bright and early in the morning.
While we’ve convinced ourselves that our efforts and long hours are a testament to our commitment and necessary for the success of our endeavour, taxing our bodies and our brains to the point of exhaustion may not be the best way for small business investors and entrepreneurs to travel down the road of success.
A recent study led by Sara Mednick, PhD, of the University of California (UCSD), has demonstrated, once again, that obtaining adequate sleep is an essential component for making good decisions—particularly when it comes to creative problem solving. Numerous similar studies have touted the benefits of a proper night’s rest and, intuitively, we know this to be true; Mednick’s study centres specifically on the benefits of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
How many times have you made a presentation to small business investors, or presented an opportunity to a client, only to be told that they would ‘sleep on it’ and get back to you the next day? Taking time before making a decision has become such a common part of our everyday lives that these phrases have become valid and accepted—albeit occasionally frustrating—business talk. And it is not only small business investors and clients who are putting off their decisions overnight: everyone, from corporate CEOs to our dear old mums, are promising to ‘get back to us in the morning’.
Small business investors, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and parents have always known the importance of taking their time to ensure that they are making the right decisions—and now, there is scientific research to back them up. According to the UCSD study, REM sleep allows our brains to form new networks, increasing creative thinking. This, in turn, leads to more creative problem solving and better decisions for your investments or business.
This most recent study adds to the mountain of research verifying that we need proper sleep, regular breaks, exercise, and a healthy diet in order to think clearly, make good decisions, and perform to our fullest potential. When we deprive ourselves of any of these essentials, our personal and professional lives will suffer. This can include making poor business decisions when we are under pressure or working on minimal sleep—and small business investors and business owners know that even one bad decision can be devastating.
This goes to show that working a little less and making the time to take care of ourselves can make all the difference in the success of our endeavours as small business investors and entrepreneurs. Eating properly, getting enough sleep, taking a walk, and even going on holiday every once in a while are all good for you and good for business.
So, the next time that you’re rushing to make a decision after 18 hours at the office, consider setting it aside for the night and coming to a decision in the morning. After a good night’s rest and some proper REM sleep, everything will look clearer in the morning sun—and you’ll not only lower your stress level, but you’ll also find that you’re making better business decisions all around.
