Think sleep is lazy? Bill Gates used to think the same way...

[Lifehack.org]( Sleep ≠Laziness Neglecting sleep can create a vicious cycle. Poor sleep affects health, drains energy, and compromises performance. [Share today's tip with a friend.]( Hi there, "I routinely pulled all-nighters when we had to deliver a piece of software.I knew I wasn't as sharp when I was operating mostly on caffeine and adrenaline, but I was obsessed with my work, and I felt that sleeping a lot was lazy." Sound familiar? Bill Gates used to be on the front lines of the war against sleep. While discussing brain health on a podcast, he admitted that during his years at Microsoft, he slept as little as possible, considering it "lazy" and "unnecessary." He even made it a competition with his colleagues. "In my 30s and 40s when there would be a conversation about sleep, it would be like: 'Oh I only sleep six hours, and the other guys like: 'No I only sleep five' and 'Well sometimes I don't sleep at all,' and I'd be like: 'Wow those guys are so good. I have to try harder because sleep is lazy and unnecessary." But times have changed. Since his father's death from Alzheimer's disease in 2020, Gates has had a significant shift in perspective. He's realized that maintaining good sleep is vital for brain health. One of the most significant factors in dementia, including Alzheimer's, is whether you're getting quality rest. Bill Gates has since started tracking his daily "sleep score," aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep a night. So what's the message here? Sleep! And not just sleep, but quality sleep. It matters to your brain, your health, and your productivity. It's easy to think that we have too much to do, or want more personal time, so we cut into our sleep. But neglecting sleep can create a vicious cycle. Poor sleep affects health, drains energy, and compromises performance. I know, life's hectic. Stress can keep us up, staring at the ceiling. But solutions exist. 🕯️Start with a wind-down routine. Maybe it's reading a calming book, taking a warm bath, or listening to soothing music. 🌙 Ensure your sleeping environment promotes rest A comfortable mattress, soft lighting, optimal room temperature, and reduced noise. 🧘 Mindfulness. I can't emphasize its importance enough. If you've been following my emails, you know I bring it up often. And there's a reason - it works. Deep breathing exercises, guided meditation - they've worked wonders for my restless mind. My go-to? [The Mindful Focus Toolkit, part of the LifeHack All-Access Toolkit](. It's a treasure trove of mindfulness exercises that I've found immensely beneficial. There's a world of resources out there, but this Toolkit is a great place to start. [Try the Toolkit →]( Remember, a rested mind is a powerful mind. No matter how busy you get, investing in quality sleep and mindful practices can elevate your daily life in profound ways. Cheers, Leon Founder & CEO@LifeHack LifeHack All-Access Toolkit Featuring the Mindful Focus Toolkit and more time-smart tools [Learn More →]( [Share This Email With a Friend]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Pinterest]( Sent to: {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( Lifehack, Unit 33554, PO Box 6945,, London, W1A 6US, United Kingdom