Vanessa Sampson, Director of People & Culture at Locale, elaborates on why rest is not a retreat, but the ultimate power move: the fuel that allows us to show up as our best selves.
In the hustle and bustle of today’s work culture, resting and especially sleeping often feels like a luxury. Yet, in reality, rest is a superpower, empowering us to slow down, breathe, and make thoughtful decisions.
Good sleep is not just about recharging our physical bodies—it’s the cornerstone of our mental and emotional wellbeing, directly impacting our work performance and overall quality of life.
A well-rested mind is more creative, focused, and resilient. It’s the secret weapon behind innovative problem-solving and effective leadership. When we give sleep - and rest - the importance it deserves, we equip ourselves to handle workplace challenges with a calm, clear mind, reducing stress and preventing burnout.
So, how do we ensure we get good sleep, regardless of the pressures we face?
First, consistency is key. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day regulates our body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
Secondly, create a sleep-friendly environment. This means a cool, dark, and quiet room, with a comfortable mattress and pillows. Sinking into a hole or being pierced by wonky springs? Time to address the mattress in the room. Reducing screen time before bed has been cited as a key factor; I do think this, as well as caffeine before bed, can impact people very differently. What it does highlight though is to allow for some trial and error in trying out what works for you in ensuring you fall asleep easily, sleep deeply and wake refreshed.
Lastly, consider your diet and physical activity. It's generally a good idea to avoid late or heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime, and aim for regular exercise during the day, which promotes deeper sleep. Whilst some exercise like yoga or stretching can be really helpful close to bedtime, vigorous cardio such as running, rowing or weights is not a good idea as this tends to switch on your brain rather than relax it.
In this world of work, it can often seem like we don't have time to rest, when in fact it is exactly what will improve all aspects of living within it. Rest is not a retreat. It’s the ultimate power move, the fuel that allows us to show up as our best selves, ready to embrace the day and everything it brings our way.
Sleep difficulties can very much be a sign of something that needs attention: it can be a symptom of a medical condition, a sign of being negatively impacted by pressures at work and in life. Whereas good sleep overall is a state we should strive to reach and maintain, we will have rough nights. It’s okay to have rough nights; all too often we forget that we are sentient beings that can be impacted by millions of things every single day. Concern about sleep itself can cause that sleep to be more impacted. Basically: be gentle, take small steps but take them, ask for help where you need it – friends and family, your GP and helplines; a colleague, your line manager, employee assistance programmes or similar in your workplace.
