Sleep Better - The Blog Post Guaranteed to Put You to Sleep!

Sleep Better 

Are you working in a company or law firm where people come to work sleep deprived? Does your organization provide health promotion programs that encourage employees to follow proper sleep hygiene?

One of the most powerful questions one can ask is “Am I getting enough sleep so that I am ready to go to work feeling refreshed and relaxed?” Emotionally intelligent people get adequate sleep so they are able to be their best at work  

When The Family Guy or Homer Simpson snore loudly and have trouble sleeping at night, it's usually pretty amusing. The antics resulting from their inability to stay awake are a ready source of humor. However, they illustrate an important problem that millions of Americans share: Sleep deprivation - - which is no laughing matter.  

Experts in sleep behavior and sleep disorders have found that a majority of us sleep at least an hour to ninety minutes less each night than we should. These experts also say that mild sleep deprivation is not terribly worrisome, although they believe that we would be more productive, good humored and satisfied with life if we were able to get a full compliment of sleep each night.

The "right" amount of sleep depends on the individual. Some people can get by on three or four hours per night while others need eight or nine. The important criteria is whether you wake up the next morning feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready to begin the day.

We cheat on our sleep and do not realize we are doing it. We think we can get by on six or seven hours of sleep, but we may need more to feel really vigorous. Scientists say there is virtually an epidemic of sleeplessness in our nation.

Perhaps the most relentless robber of sleep is the busy schedule. When pressures from work, family and friends mount, many consider sleep to be the most expendable item on the agenda. As a result, many Americans are suffering from chronic fatigue brought on by too much anxiety, stress and worry that causes fragmented, restless sleep at night.

For some individuals, sleep deprivation may be only a minor irritant, but for others, sleep problems seriously disrupt their life. Such a disruption impairs their ability to concentrate and wreaks havoc on relationships and careers. In addition, inadequate sleep is a major cause of workplace accidents and lowered productivity, costing American business billions of dollars each year and workers extreme distress and, sometimes loss of life.

Researchers trace the beginning of the sleep-deficit crisis to the invention of the light bulb a century ago. During the 18th and19th centuries, sleep scientists have determined that the average person slept about 9.5 hours per night. In modern life however, we are driven by ambitious values. You are perceived as lacking motivation and ambition if you feel a need for eight hours of sleep.

Insomnia is the inability to achieve adequate or restful sleep. It is perhaps the second most prevalent health complaint after pain. It is twice as frequent in women as men and its incidence increases with age.

Top Ten Better Sleep Tips

1. Develop a regular sleep time -- even on weekends. Get up about the

   same time seven days a week. Going to bed at the same time is less critical.

2. Set up pre-sleep rituals. Assume a specific sleep posture. Indulge in

   a pleasant fantasy.

3. Keep a daily sleep log. Documenting sleep habits often shows areas for

     improvement.

4. Sleep on a comfortable bed. Condition yourself into using your bed for sleep
      (sex is OK, too).

5. Set aside worry or planning time earlier in the day so you don't take your worries to
      bed.

6. Whether to nap is controversial. A 20-minute break during the day may renew your

   energy.

7. Exercise regularly -- preferably not two or three hours before bedtime.

8. Cut down on stimulants such as coffee, tea, colas and chocolate. Drink only in
      moderation.

9. Don't go to bed stuffed or starved.

10. Practice stress management and mindful relaxation techniques regularly.

“America’s hidden nightmare.“ -- William Dement, Sleep Expert

...About Dr. Maynard Brusman

Dr. Maynard Brusman

Consulting Psychologist and Executive Coach|
Trusted Advisor to Executive Leadership Teams

Emotional Intelligence & Mindful Leadership Expert

I coach leaders to cultivate clarity, creativity, focus, trust, and full engagement in a purpose-driven culture.

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist and executive coach. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies select and develop emotionally intelligent leaders. 

Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica.

“Maynard Brusman is one of the foremost coaches in the United States. He utilizes a wide variety of assessments in his work with senior executives and upper level managers, and is adept at helping his clients both develop higher levels of emotional intelligence and achieve breakthrough business results. As a senior leader in the executive coaching field, Dr. Brusman brings an exceptional level of wisdom, energy, and creativity to his work.” — Jeffrey E. Auerbach, Ph.D., President, College of Executive Coaching

The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded rare "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.

Are you an executive leader who wants to be more effective at work and get better results?

Did you know that research has demonstrated, that the most effective leaders model high emotional intelligence, and that EQ can be learned? It takes self-awareness, empathy, and compassion to become a more emotionally intelligent leader. 

Emotionally intelligent and mindful leaders inspire people to become fully engaged with the vision and mission of their company. Mindful leadership starts from within.

I am a consulting psychologist and executive coach. I believe coaching is a collaborative process of providing people with the resources and opportunities they need to self manage, develop change resiliency and become more effective. Utilizing instrumented assessments - clients set clear goals, make optimal use of their strengths, and take action to create desired changes aligned with personal values.

I have been chosen as an expert to appear on radio and TV, MSNBC, CBS Health Watch and in the San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Forbes and Fast Company.

Over the past thirty-five years, I have coached hundreds of leaders to improve their leadership effectiveness.

After only 6 months, one executive coaching client reported greater productivity, and more stress resiliency helping her company improve revenues by 20%. While this may depend on many factors most of my clients report similar satisfaction in their EQ leadership competence leading to better business results.

You can choose to work with a highly seasoned executive coach to help facilitate your leadership development and executive presence awakening what’s possible.

For more information, please go to http://www.workingresources.com, write to [email protected], or call 415-546-1252.

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