Unlocking Productivity: Mumbai Designer Boosts Performance by Syncing Work with Sleep Pattern
Boost Your Productivity by Aligning Your Work with Your Sleep Pattern
Have you ever felt drained even after a full night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast? Or perhaps you’ve experienced a sudden surge of energy and productivity in the late afternoon or evening? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to align their work schedules with their natural sleep patterns, leading to decreased productivity and overall dissatisfaction. But, understanding your chronotype, and aligning your work schedule to it could be the key to unlocking your full potential.
Pranay Saha, a graphic designer based in Mumbai, experienced this firsthand. Despite adhering to the age-old adage of “early to bed, early to rise,” Saha found himself struggling with tasks in the morning, feeling creatively and physically drained. His productivity suffered as a result. It was only during the latter half of the day that he felt truly alive and productive.
While browsing YouTube one day, Saha stumbled upon a video about chronotypes. Chronotypes are essentially our body’s natural preference for sleep and wake times. They are influenced by our genetic makeup and circadian rhythm. After understanding his chronotype, dubbed the ‘wolf type’, Saha shifted his sleeping hours to better align with his natural rhythm. This small adjustment resulted in a significant increase in his creativity, energy, and sleep quality, which in turn improved his work performance.
Dr Ayushi Shukla, a somnologist and psychiatrist at SRV Hospitals, Dombivli, Maharashtra, explains that everyone has a unique chronotype. These can shift over time, often leaning towards an earlier type in childhood, shifting later during adolescence, and then returning to an earlier type in adulthood. It may be challenging to transition between types unless it’s biologically adjusted with age. Hence, identifying your chronotype and aligning your routine accordingly can be beneficial.
Let’s delve into the four distinct chronotypes and how understanding them can help you boost your productivity, whether you’re working at an electric height adjustable standing desk or lounging on your couch.
The Lion: Representing about 15% of the population, ‘Lions’ are early risers and most productive in the first three hours after waking up. They thrive in structured environments and are exemplary planners and organisers. However, they may struggle with night shifts. To maintain their productivity, short power breaks throughout the day can help them recharge.
The Dolphin: Unlike ‘Lions’, ‘Dolphins’ are known for their half-brain slumber sleeping method. Approximately 10% of the population falls under this category. Despite their sleep anxiety, they are known for their remarkable ability to make the most of their wakeful hours and excel in critical thinking and problem-solving. Strategic napping can help ‘Dolphins’ improve focus without impairing nighttime sleep.
The Bear: The majority of the population (around 55%) falls under the ‘Bear’ chronotype. They don’t have difficulty waking up early, and their peak cognitive period starts as early as 30 minutes after leaving bed, lasting until noon. However, they often experience a slump post-lunch. A quick nap or an express workout can help them overcome this dip.
The Wolf: ‘Wolves’ prefer to wake up late and make the most of the afternoon or evening hours. They require more sleep than others and often need a strong jolt to push them out of slumber in the morning. Despite this, they are known for their creative aptitude. To combat morning sluggishness, it’s essential for ‘Wolves’ not to skip breakfast and schedule important meetings for later in the day.
In conclusion, understanding your chronotype and aligning your work schedule with it can significantly boost your productivity. Whether you’re working at the best sit stand desk or on your TV lift, remember to listen to your body and respect its natural rhythms. After all, when it comes to productivity, it’s not just about how much time you spend working, but also about when you choose to work.
