As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, Australian business leaders and executives face more challenges than ever before. The demands of high-powered roles, coupled with a constant need to stay connected, often result in long hours and limited downtime. In such an environment, the importance of sleep can be easily overlooked. Yet, recent research highlights the critical role that good sleep plays in supporting mental and physical wellbeing, ultimately contributing to success in both personal and professional realms.
The Science of Sleep
Sleep is no mere luxury, but a fundamental biological necessity. During sleep, our body undergoes essential physiological and psychological processes, allowing for effective cognitive function and memory consolidation (Walker, 2017). A report by the Sleep Health Foundation (2016) states that insufficient sleep can have severe consequences for mood, cognitive performance, and overall health. Furthermore, sleep deprivation has been linked to numerous long-term health issues, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even dementia (Medic, Wille, & Hemels, 2017).
The Cost of Sleep Deprivation
In Australia, the economic impact of sleep deprivation is estimated to be $66.3 billion annually, which includes the costs of reduced productivity, increased healthcare expenditure, and the detrimental effects of accidents related to fatigue (Deloitte Access Economics, 2017). Research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) reveals that the financial cost of poor sleep for Australian businesses is more then $5,000 per employee each year (PwC, 2016). Clearly, the cost of neglecting sleep is too high to ignore.
Sleep and Executive Performance
For business leaders and executives, the impact of sleep on performance is particularly crucial. A study conducted by Barnes and Watson (2019) found that sleep-deprived leaders are more likely to exhibit unethical behaviour, display negative mood, and make poor decisions. Conversely, well-rested executives demonstrate enhanced emotional intelligence, decision-making ability, and interpersonal skills – all vital components of effective leadership (Van Der Helm, Gujar, & Walker, 2010).
Revolutionising Sleep in the Workplace
Recognising the power of sleep, some Australian companies are implementing strategies to help employees improve their sleep quality. One example is Vocus, a telecommunications company, which introduced a Sleep Health and Wellbeing program in 2019, providing employees with sleep assessments, education, and personalised sleep plans. The program resulted in improved sleep quality for 72% of participants, leading to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism (Vocus, 2020).
Neurological and Biological Functions of Sleep
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal functioning of our body and brain. Some of the critical neurological and biological functions the occur during sleep include:
- Memory Consolidation
One of the most significant neurological functions that occur during sleep is memory consolidation. Sleep facilitates the process of strengthening neural connections, enabling the brain to store and retain new information more effectively (Diekelmann & Born, 2010). This process predominantly occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage characterized by increased brain activity and vivid dreaming.
- Synaptic Homeostasis
During wakefulness, our brains form countless new synapses or neural connections in response to the constant influx of new experiences and information. Sleep, particularly slow-wave sleep (SWS), is crucial for maintaining synaptic homeostasis, a process that involves scaling down synapses to preserve energy and prepare the brain for new learning experiences (Tononi & Cirelli, 2014). This process is also known as the “synaptic homeostasis hypothesis” (SHY).
- Brain Cleansing
Sleep plays a vital role in the brain’s self-cleaning mechanism. The glymphatic system, a waste clearance pathway, is responsible for removing potentially harmful waste products from the brain, including toxic proteins that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s (Xie et al., 2013). This process is much more active during sleep, making it crucial for maintaining brain health.
- Emotional Regulation
Sleep is essential for emotional regulation and mental health. During REM sleep, the brain processes and regulates emotions by replaying experiences, reducing the emotional intensity of events, and integrating them into long-term memory (Goldstein & Walker, 2014). Consequently, a lack of REM sleep can lead to emotional instability, increased stress, and a heightened risk of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
- Hormone Regulation
Various hormones crucial for growth, metabolism, stress regulation, and appetite control are released and regulated during sleep. For instance, growth hormone, which is vital for cell repair, growth, and development, is predominantly released during SWS (Van Cauter, Leproult, & Plat, 2000). Moreover, sleep helps regulate hunger-related hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin, which can impact appetite and weight management (Taheri, Lin, Austin, Young, & Mignot, 2004).
- Immune System Support
Sleep plays a vital role in supporting the immune system by promoting the production and distribution of cytokines, immune-boosting proteins that help protect against infection and inflammation (Besedovsky, Lange, & Born, 2012). Adequate sleep also helps the body maintain a strong immune response, reducing the risk of illness and aiding recovery.
Conclusion
Sleep is an essential component of overall health, with numerous neurological and biological functions taking place during this period. Ensuring that we get sufficient quality sleep is crucial for optimal cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and physical health. There is an opportunity for Australian business leaders to prioritise sleep as a fundamental aspect of personal and professional wellbeing; and, by investing in initiatives to promote healthy sleep habits among employees, businesses can reduce the considerable costs associated with sleep deprivation, while fostering a healthier and more productive workforce.
References
Barnes, C. M., & Watson, N. F. (2019). Why sleep matters to executives. Organizational Dynamics, 48(2), 64-71.
Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., & Born, J. (2012). Sleep and immune function. Pflugers Archiv – European Journal of Physiology, 463(1), 121-137.
Diekelmann, S., & Born, J. (2010). The memory function of sleep. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(2), 114-126.
Goldstein, A. N., & Walker, M. P. (2014). The role of sleep in emotional brain function. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology,
Deloitte Access Economics. (2017). Asleep on the job: Costs of inadequate sleep in Australia. Sleep Health Foundation.
Medic, G., Wille, M., & Hemels, M. E. (2017). Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nature and Science of Sleep, 9, 151-161.
PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2016). Economic cost of sleep disorders. Sleep Health Foundation.
Sleep Health Foundation. (2016). Sleep and your health. Retrieved from https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep
