Studies have shown that that sleep quality, as well as the amount, have an important effect on our memory and learning ability. For a new job, getting the right amount of sleep can be crucial in making it through those initial intensive weeks of training and acquiring new skills. Needless to say, it can impact long term career prospects if inadequate sleep means never quite getting a grasp on learning the ropes from the outset, and means colleagues even end up with an edge over you when going for promotion.
Sleep affects memory and learning in two ways. First, a lack of adequate sleep (a minimum of six hours) impairs your ability to concentrate and hampers the learning process.
Second, research suggests consolidation – the actual setting down for later recall, and rearrangement of memories – happens during sleep in the brain. Acquisition and recall only happen in wakeful hours, and your ability to do this is dependent on the brain’s uninterrupted ability to consolidate the memories acquired in the day. So, it can affect your learning before and after a bad night’s sleep.
Many think this is why children with sleep apnea and other sleep disorder related breathing conditions struggle compared with their peers at school age, and why college aged learners scored lower in exams than their refreshed counterparts, even if the disruption was temporary. It could end up impacting your long term quality of life.
As well as performing well, well rested employees make for a safer working environment. It means they are alert and attentive the their environment as well as productive.
Since it is the beginning if a new year, many people are looking at a revamp of their bedroom décor for 2017, so why not invest in frames and mattresses to optimise your sleep and comfort. Think memory foam mattresses and pillows to take the weight off extremities, as this is responsible for a lot of waking in the middle of the night. Bedstar also have a range of orthopaedic beds for posture and support, which is well worth looking into. Then you won’t spill a drop of that important frat morning coffee.
