Nowadays, the measure of hard work and the resulting success is based on how little a person sleeps.
Sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. Yet a lot of people do not get enough of it every night. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a third of American adults are not getting the recommended seven to nine hours of shuteye which puts them at an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and depression.
There are various reasons why people do not get enough sleep. The daily exposure to electronic devices, particularly the ones that have screens, could be a contributing factor that lead to the elusiveness of sleep, especially among young people.
Rich People Getting More Sleep
But, recently, a new study found that rich people are getting more hours and higher quality of rest every night.
The CDC conducted a survey that involved nearly 140,000 American adults in the United States between 2011 and 2014. They revealed in the paper published in 2019 that the more money a person has, the more likely they will get a full night of sleep.
The findings are in contrast with the popular belief that rich people forego sleep for success. Although many billionaires and politicians say they sleep for about five hours a night, the wealthy are receiving eight hours of sleep.
Only 55% of those who are living below the poverty threshold, however, get to sleep for eight hours a night.
There are many reasons why the rich sleep better than the poor. Not worrying about money, safety, and access to necessities is a major reason why the wealthy can rest east at night. In addition, they also have the luxury to do some of these.
Invest in Sleep
Sleep can be affected by a lot of things, and that includes the things that are used in the bedroom. Simple things such as the density and softness of the pillow can have an impact on a person’s quality of sleep.
Do not compromise. When you walk into the nearest mattress store, test every option and choose the one that is most comfortable. A mattress that offers support, pillows that are soft and do not strain your neck, and warm blankets will improve feelings of relaxation every time you go to bed. Although it may cost more, quality products are a worthy investment that will ensure that you are well-rested every single day.
Try Soundproofing
Rich people are more likely to live in neighborhoods that are more peaceful. Therefore, they do not worry about being woken up by the siren of a police car or the beeping of passing cars at night.
Those who live beside noisy highways do not have to move, however. They can make changes in their rooms to block the disruptive sounds coming from outside their windows.
Those heavy blackout curtains, when closed, would also absorb sound, preventing noise and the sun from coming into your room. You can also purchase window inserts that create an airtight seal to eliminate any cracks and crevices where sound may pass through.
Exercising is the Best Sleep-Aid
Exercising is part of the habits among the wealthy. One report revealed that 76% of rich people do aerobics for at least 30 minutes every day, and it helps them sleep at night.
Of course, among the working class, not a lot of people have the luxury of time or energy to dedicate a portion of the day to physical activity. However, those who can spare a few minutes should do exercises because it has been proven to improve sleep by releasing serotonin, the hormone involved in the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Exercising is also known to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Make Reading in Bed a Hobby
Reading in bed is a centuries-old tradition. If kids can sleep better after reading a chapter every night, there is no reason why opening a book should not help an adult, too.
Reading in bed is also part of the nighttime routine of influential people. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, for example, is known to read for at least half an hour every night before they sleep. Many business leaders also make sure to read a few pages in bed regularly.
The activity works because reading slows the heartbeat, lowers blood pressure, and empties the mind of all stressors from the day. Make sure that you have a good novel or collection of poetry on your nightstand that you can pick up as soon as you are ready to sleep.
Sleeping should never be a luxury. It should be something that everyone should get regardless of the contents of their bank accounts.
