Sleep is essential for our brain and body to function properly. Most adults require around seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Erratic sleeping hours can wreak havoc in one’s personal and professional life, which is why CEOs often talk about their best sleeping hours and why they follow it religiously. Even start-up CEOs cannot afford to compromise on this. Although there are different must-dos for entrepreneurs to be successful, sufficient sleep is non-negotiable.
Co-founder of The Huffington Post Arianna Huffington says, “By helping us keep the world in perspective, sleep gives us a chance to refocus on the essence of who we are. And in that place of connection, it is easier for the fears and concerns of the world to drop away.” She recommends keeping fixed sleeping hours to rekindle one’s estranged relationship sleep.
While some people wonder how to get to sleep others require the bare minimum to function optimally.
Here are the sleeping hours and habits of successful CEOs.
Most CEOs sleep less than the recommended average of eight hours a night. Some are vigilant about their sleep hours while some barely get any shut eye. Some CEOs sleep less during the night but make time for a nap during the day. However, regardless of how one sleeps, it is important to get high-quality sleep.
1. James Park – CEO of Fitbit
It is estimated that Park made close to $150 million before taxes when Fitbit was acquired by Google in 2019. The successful tech entrepreneur mentions that although he never gets as much sleep as he would like, he typically manages to get six hours of sleep a night. Park asserts that exercise is the key – for those wondering how to get to sleep. “I’ve found that getting exercise helps me get the best night of rest and feel most energetic, so I try to stick to a consistent schedule of at least 20-30 minutes of exercise each day.” Elaborating on Fitbit, he says that despite tracking the sleep routines of millions and over nine billion nights of sleep, there is no set amount that works for everyone.
2. Arianna Huffington – CEO of Thrive Global
Huffington attributes burnout to consistently working on less than six hours of sleep. On her sleeping hours, she says, “I like to get seven hours of sleep a night because that’s what I need to stay sharp and creative and upbeat.” She adds that getting little sleep is akin to taking poor care of yourself. Huffington recommends a full night’s rest to stay healthy. In an interview to CNBC, she once said that sleep makes everything better – our jobs, health, and happiness.
3. Susana Saeliu – CEO of Pluto
Pluto is in the business of sleep, so it is natural that the CEO would discuss why is sleep important and the accessories required for a comfortable sleep. Saeliu, whose company makes custom pillows, sleeps around seven to eight hours every night. But before she figured out her best sleeping hours, she used to burn the midnight oil. She soon found herself struggling with tasks and observed that a lack of sleep diminished her decision-making and self-awareness.
4. Jeff Bezos – former CEO of Amazon
In 2016, Bezos admitted that getting eight hours of sleep is a priority for him. He admitted that it makes a big difference in how he works and getting proper rest makes him feel energized and excited for what is coming. When asked how to get to sleep, he revealed that he gets up early and goes to bed early. Many studies have confirmed that a lot of successful people tend to be early arises. Bezos added, “If you shortchange your sleep, you might get a couple of extra ‘productive’ hours, but that productivity might be an illusion. When you’re talking about decisions and interactions, quality is usually more important than quantity.”
5. Javier Evelyn – CEO of Alerje
The CEO of a healthcare startup, Evelyn manages to sneak in six hours of sleep but would like to push it to seven. He begins his day at 6 a.m. and follows a strict morning routine where he works out, meditates, and takes his vitamins. Evelyn mentions that he feels a distinct drop in energy when he skips his morning routine. Also, he tries not to look at his phone for half an hour after he wakes up. Blue light has been known to accelerate skin aging and affect sleep.
Research has consistently shown us why is sleep important. One study found that if someone was up for more than 17 hours, their performance was equal to someone with a 0.05 blood alcohol level. Microsoft founder Bill Gates admits that getting seven hours of sleep a night ensures that he stays sharp and upbeat.
Experts recommend having a set routine like taking a bath, reading a book, or turning off your devices before laying down. This will prepare your mind and body to relax. The importance of sleep can never be downplayed as chronic sleep deprivation can eventually lead to serious health conditions and impact your overall productivity.
