We all know the importance of sleep—it restores our energy and rejuvenates our cells.
But there’s more.
New research reveals that sleep plays a crucial role in processing information and forming new memories. When we sleep, certain regions in our brain (in the hippocampus to be exact) shut down, allowing key memory-forming neurons to rest. This process effectively resets our brain, preparing it to absorb and encode new information the next day.
Reviewers of the research conclude, “The results help explain why all animals require sleep—not only to consolidate memories but also to reset the brain and keep it functioning during waking hours.”
This underscores why burning the proverbial candle at both ends is detrimental to both performance and well-being – a lack of sleep limits our ability to think and learn.
How might this apply in workplace?
Here’s one way:
For leaders aiming to build high-performing teams, encourage healthy work boundaries for team members—such as encouraging them to avoid multiple late nights in a row—and prioritize rest as a key component of your well-being strategy.
The faster we go at both work and in life, the more quality rest and sleep we need.
If you’re struggling to remember things or be creative, it may mean you need more sleep.
Check out the research here: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-resets-neurons-memories-day.html
