Who Needs 8 Hours? Um, We Do

When I saw the headline on Lifehacker, I had to click on it: “Sleep Deprivation Isn’t a Badge of Honor.” Um, what? I have to admit, I’ve been known to brag about the lack of sleep I get. “Oh you know, I didn’t go to bed until 4 a.m. and then got up at 8 a.m. but I feel great!” Maybe that has something to do with the 8 cups of coffee I chugged. Or maybe I’m Super Woman, right?

Most of us have been there. Whether it’s in college or at our first high-stress job. Sometimes going to bed at a reasonable hour just doesn’t seem possible. And our society tends to value people who don’t need a lot of sleep, while those who require 8+ hours are seen as weak. I honestly don’t understand where people find 8 hours every day to sleep. I know they say it’s important, but I don’t need it, do I?

The article came from a blog called Signal vs. Noise and highlights some of the problems that can incur due to lack of sleep, including stubbornness, lack of creativity, diminished morale, and irritability. Yes, yes, yes, and yes. I get all of those things when I don’t sleep enough. But I also get them if I don’t get all my work done. So, what’s a girl to do?

Allegedly, we’ll be more productive if we get enough sleep, thus allowing us to kill two birds with one stone: Get enough sleep AND get all our work done. Who knew?

I guess it’s worth a shot. I think I’ll head off to bed right now. Just as soon as I finish up a few more things. Er, maybe they can wait until morning?