From limiting distractions to setting small, bite-size goals, there’s plenty of advice out there on how to improve productivity. But at a time when more and more of us are worrying about carrying out our tasks with efficiency, we need to start thinking about the root of the problem: quality of sleep.
Want to be more productive and get more done throughout the day? It all starts with a good night’s sleep. Read on to find out how a comfortable, quality mattress could help you achieve your goals.
The productivity crisis
Did you know that the UK is in the midst of a productivity crisis? For every hour worked, we’re generating £46.92 of output. Compare that to the £55.50 in France, and £58.88 in the United States, and it’s clear there’s a problem. And there has been for quite some time. Up until 2008, UK productivity was growing at an average rate of 2.3% per year. Now, that growth is around 0.5%.
And it’s not just economic productivity that’s a problem. It’s personal productivity, too. Have you been feeling more sluggish lately? Struggling to get through all you need to? You’re not alone.
The question is: why?
Of course, there are plenty of possible contributors. Economically, some blame a lack of business investment. Personally, many people put it down to the lingering effects of the global health crisis. But it’s important to ask whether sleep could be having an impact on how productive we are.
Sleep matters
Sadly, when we’re busy, sleep is often seen as a waste. Of course, we all need to rest. But when you’ve got a million things to do, or you’re up against a tight deadline, it’s easy to view sleep as wasted time; time that could be spent working through that ever-growing list of tasks. But in reality, skipping sleep could be doing more harm than good. Spending eight hours resting the mind and body rather than pushing them to their limits could help you to achieve much more.
And there’s plenty of research out there to support that theory.
Sleep & productivity
A small study in Japan suggested that productivity among people sleeping for up to six hours per night was much less than those with longer sleep durations; especially those sleeping for the recommended 7-9 hours. And this theory has been backed up by multiple other research studies.
For example, a massive study in the United States examined the sleeping habits of almost 600,000 participants. Those sleeping for eight hours every night reported much less productivity loss than those sleeping for less time. And in a more widespread study across the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, and Japan, productivity loss was noted as being 2.4% higher for those sleeping fewer than six hours per night, compared to those sleeping for 7-9 hours. Even a sleep duration of 6-7 hours was found to be associated with a 1.5% drop in productivity. To put this into perspective, the average worker would lose the productivity equivalent of 6 working days across the year by sleeping six hours or fewer.
So why are sleep quality and productivity so closely linked?
The global study above suggests that it’s because a lack of sleep ‘impairs cognitive performance, leading to lower productivity levels’. Other researchers have suggested that poor-quality sleep can have a negative effect on decision-making, and greatly increase the number of sick days taken.
Can a great mattress really help?
Could the secret to improved productivity really be something as simple as a better mattress? It seems so. With sleep being thought to have such a huge impact on productivity levels, it’s logical to assume that anything we can do to get a better night’s rest can help to make us more productive.
There are many different things that can impact sleep quality. Sometimes, it’s related to bad habits, like focusing on a screen late at night. Other times, it’s due to things that throw the body’s natural rhythm out of whack, like shift work. But more often than not, it’s all down to what you’re sleeping on. One study states that ‘the most important element of a full, restful night’s sleep is a mattress’.
A poor quality mattress – or the wrong mattress type for your sleep needs – can result in…
- High levels of discomfort, keeping you awake throughout the night
- High levels of common allergens – like dust – exacerbating respiratory conditions
- Increased back pain or neck stiffness from poor sleep posture
- Hygiene issues resulting from feeling too hot, impacting self-confidence
All of these things can have a negative effect on how productively we’re able to work the next day.
In contrast, the right mattress can…
- Keep you feeling more comfortable, encouraging sleep
- Reduce common allergens in your bedding to support better health
- Provide necessary body support and keep the neck and spine in alignment
- Regulate body temperature to keep you feeling fresher
When the body has been given an opportunity to rest, and when you wake up feeling fresh, healthy, and ready to tackle the world, you might be amazed at just how much you’re able to get done!
Choosing the right mattress
Now that you know how to enhance your productivity, the only thing left to do is pick yourself a new mattress; one that will help you get a great night’s sleep, and leave you feeling raring to go.
So just what is the best mattress? Well, there’s no easy answer to that question.
A great mattress is one that offers the level of support you need, and which feels comfortable for your body. For some people, that’s a firm mattress that keeps the spine flat, and prevents the body sinking too far into the bed. For others, it’s a softer mattress that eases pressure on sensitive joints.
The best solution is to take a look through our mattress collection and see what’s on offer. By choosing a mattress that ticks all the right boxes, you’re well on your way to tackling your to-do list.