Does Sleep Help You Make Better Decisions?

You’re not sleeping well. You might be anxious about a big decision. All sorts of thoughts could be buzzing around in your head. Buying a house. Getting married. Resigning from your job. Passing on a new business opportunity. Or investing too rashly. That picture you posted online. The red traffic light you missed. You’re only human, right?

We all make mistakes. But there will be important times in our lives when we really do need to make considered, well-mediated choices. Some decisions have lifelong implications. We really need to be at our sharpest. That’s when the wiser person inside us likely whispers: “Why don’t you just sleep on it?”

Sleep well. Think smarter.

It’s obvious. We all know that poor sleep generally makes us grumpy, disinterested or less engaged. But do we really, purposefully, give it a second thought when we’re under pressure or simply overwhelmed? Not always. We can so easily wave it all away with an ill-tempered “Yes!” or “No!”.

Here’s the thing. Important decisions don’t always come with forewarning. We don’t generally have the luxury of foresight to think – “You know what?" I have a big decision to make in two weeks’ time. I’ll concentrate on getting some good, quality sleep before then.”

Our best strategic approach in life is to manage our sleep routine consistently. Our all-important sleep is a lifestyle choice. There may be the odd restless night, or a particularly challenging time we’re going through. But our priority should be to ensure we get the best night’s sleep we can – no matter how trying the circumstances – every night.

Success starts in bed.

Does the name Arianna Huffington ring a wake-up bell? She’s the trailblazer who started Huffington Post (now called HuffPost) in 2005. Six years on it was sold for $315 million. It also became the only commercially run digital media enterprise to win a Pulitzer Prize. (That’s like winning an Olympic gold medal for the fastest or longest commute.)

To get there she knew what 16- to 18-hour days were like, precisely because she didn’t do so well on them. “I can tell you with authority,” says Arianna, “that when I’m exhausted, when I’m running on empty, I’m the worst version of myself. I’m more reactive. I’m less empathetic. I’m less creative.” So, in hindsight, perhaps Arianna’s most time-productive days were actually after a fully rested, quality night’s sleep.

Inevitably, no amount of ambition or drive can push through a sleep deficit that just keeps accumulating. When you burn the candle at both ends, all you’re getting is double the light for half the time. Getting proper sleep, and then achieving more in less time, is the smarter approach.

Make sleep your most important decision.

When making particularly emotional or personal decisions, there’s always the inclination to “trust your gut”. Go with how you feel deep down. It’s the honest thing to do. But when you’re overly fatigued, experiencing prolonged bouts of disturbed sleep, you are likely not quite yourself.

What good sleep maintenance, or sleep hygiene does, is allow us to process with more clarity and self-assurance. When we sleep, our brains and bodies go to work, processing our thoughts, repairing, and replenishing our energy for the next day.

“Sleeping on it” is a very good start to making a challenging decision. Also, the ability to recognise when not to be too rash or hasty, precisely because of a lack of proper rest, is by no means a sign of weakness or compromise.

Deep, quality sleep has a simplifying effect. The fog of the previous day doesn’t seem as thick the next morning. The challenges might still be immense, but lucidity makes them all the more evident, even more manageable.

With your thinking calmer, and perhaps more organised, you’re more likely to ‘see’ your way through. What sleep does is help you to think with your head. Then, you can happily decide with your gut.

Your very best sleep decision is Dial•a•Bed.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – At Dial•a•Bed, you really are spoilt for choice. South Africa’s largest branded bed store has been around long enough to offer every level of comfort, support and sleep preference you could possibly need. If anyone knows the answer to your best sleep, it’s Dial•a•Bed.

Take a little time to explore www.dialabed.co.za. Pop into your nearest store and chat with a knowledgeable Dial•a•Bed sleep expert. You’ll be guided to the perfect mattress . One of the best decisions you’ll ever make. #SleepForLife.

TAKE CARE: Lifestyle recommendations are not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional should you be experiencing prolonged sleep difficulties or related health issues.