Sleep and Productivity: Here’s How Science Says It’s Linked
Sleep and Productivity: Here’s How Science Says It’s Linked
Published: December 6, 2016
Updated: June 9, 2025
Sleep and Productivity: Here’s How Science Says It’s Linked
Kathy Simpson
Although cutting into your sleep time may give you more time to get things done, making you feel more productive, the reverse is actually true.
Running a small business can be demanding, and you’ve probably found yourself working late into the night on more than one occasion or unable to sleep due to the stresses of the day. Naturally, this can erode your ability to be a productive small business owner.
If so, you’re not alone.
More than one-third of American adults are sleep-deprived.
But to give each day their best, adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Getting less than the required amount of sleep can affect your health, your mood and your brain’s ability to function - and the longer you go without the sleep you need, the more the harmful effects compound.
So it pays to make sleep a priority every night of the week, even if you need to cut back on your work time to do so. Here’s what science has to say about sleep, why you should make it a priority and how to make sure you get the ZZZs you need.
What Happens When You Sleep?
Why Should You Make Sleep a Priority?
Sleep’s most obvious benefit is energy. With a good night’s sleep, your mind is alert and your body is responsive and resilient. You can learn more quickly and better remember what you learned. Your judgment is more likely to be on target, and your reaction time optimized. On the other hand, lack of sleep can negatively affect your mood and your ability to think and function. Your productivity and your creativity are likely to be compromised as a result. This can translate into being less responsive to customers and employees, and less effective as a leader. You’re also more likely to make mistakes and have accidents.
Over time, lack of sleep can have consequences to your physical health. Heart disease, high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, depression and anxiety are among the many conditions that have been linked to insufficient sleep.