The Power of Positive Sleep with Author and Sleep Expert Giles Watkins

Giles Watkins, sleep expert and author of Positive Sleep

Are you having sleep issues? Giles Watkins shares insights from his book Positive Sleep and talks about what triggered his own sleep issues and how he overcame them to become the sleep expert he is today.

Visit https://www.bodyshotperformance.com/topic/podcasts/ for the complete show notes of every podcast episode.

Topics Discussed in this Episode:

  • What prompted Giles to write a book about sleep
  • How sleep issues impact health and fitness
  • The link between diet and exercise and sleep
  • Why people don’t prioritize or give enough value to sleep
  • Good habits around sleep
  • Good sleep discipline or sleep hygiene for children
  • Sleep and performance for leaders
  • Sleep in the workplace
  • Tips to sleep better

Key Takeaways:

  • There’s been very little education about the benefits of sleep that people think it’s something almost disposable.
  • Naps taken at the right time of day for the right amount of time can really help you if you’re having sleep problems.
  • Your higher-order mental skills are extremely well-benefited by a good night’s sleep. The reverse is also true. If you sleep poorly, your executive functions are affected much more so than your physical functions.
  • There are four areas in terms of leadership behaviour that get affected when you don’t get good sleep:
  1. Results orientation
  2. Problem-solving
  3. Seeking different perspectives
  4. Supporting others

Action Steps:

  • Practice mindfulness techniques that can help you sleep better.
  • Caffeine interferes with the natural system around sleep, so reduce if not completely cut off your caffeine intake.
  • Teach your kids good sleeping habits and instill sleep hygiene.
  • Keep phones and tablets away from your kids before they go to bed as well as first thing in the morning.
  • Take Epsom salt baths.

Giles said:

“[Naps] are more than just a sticking plaster, they genuinely can help you.”

“Before long, the impact of short sleeping and the dangers of it for people driving will be even more lethal than alcohol-related driving incidents.”

Thanks for listening!

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Links to things mentioned in the show:

More from Giles Watkins:

Giles’ LinkedIn

Giles’ Instagram (@giles_the_sleep_guru)

More from Leanne Spencer:

Bodyshot Performance

Bodyshot Performance Limited Facebook page

Remove the Guesswork BOOK by Leanne Spencer

Rise and Shine BOOK by Leanne Spencer

Leanne’s Email

Twitter: @BodyshotPT

Instagram: @bodyshotperformance

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