The Fastest Way to Improve Your Decision-Making? Sleep Longer.

Enhancing your decision-making prowess might be simpler than you think: prioritize getting more sleep. Historically, humans have thrived on natural sleep cycles, typically falling asleep soon after nightfall and waking at dawn. For thousands of years, this pattern was governed by the natural light-dark cycle, resulting in an average of nine or more hours of sleep each night. Our bodies are biologically programmed to follow these rhythms, leading to more restorative and rejuvenating sleep.

In today’s world, artificial lighting disrupts these natural patterns, often reducing our sleep to less than seven hours a night. However, by making a few adjustments, you can realign your sleep with these natural cycles and reap significant benefits. When you synchronize your sleep with the Earth's rhythms, you’ll find yourself feeling calmer, more centered, and more energetic during your waking hours.

Practical Steps to Improve Your Sleep and Decision-Making:

1. Embrace Natural Light: Our reliance on indoor lighting disconnects us from natural light cycles. You can mimic natural light patterns by adjusting your indoor lighting. In the evening, reduce exposure to bright and blue-hued lights. In the morning, maximize exposure to natural light.
2. Sleep Environment: Sleep without heavy drapes or shades to allow natural light to wake you. If this isn’t feasible, consider using a dawn simulator lamp that gradually brightens, mimicking the rising sun.
3. Consistent Sleep Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This consistency reinforces your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
4. Limit Artificial Light Exposure: Reduce screen time before bed. The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers can interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Consider using blue light filters on your devices if you need to use them at night.
5. Wind Down Before Bed: Establish a relaxing pre-sleep routine. Activities such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

The Benefits:

By realigning your sleep patterns with natural light and darkness cycles, you’ll likely find it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling more refreshed. Your waking rhythms will align more closely with those of the Earth, promoting overall wellness. In summer, you’ll enjoy more daylight hours, ideal for outdoor activities, while in winter, you’ll benefit from longer periods of rest, which your body needs during colder months.

Incorporating these changes can lead to a significant improvement in your decision-making abilities. As you become more in tune with natural sleep cycles, the restorative quality of your sleep will enhance cognitive functions, emotional regulation, and overall productivity. For corporate executives, this translates into sharper decision-making, greater resilience to stress, and a more balanced, energetic approach to daily challenges.

Prioritize sleep, and watch as your professional and personal life flourish.