Netjets US Spring 2023

THE POWER
OF SLEEP
Stacy Peterson, a certified Wellness Coach with
Mayo Clinic, who sees many busy high-travel
business leaders in the Mayo Clinic Executive
Health Program, explains the importance of a
good night’s rest and offers tips on achieving it.
MANY OF US LIKE to brag about getting little sleep under the
misguided belief that it makes us appear busy and productive but
we’ve learned that going without sleep can make a big impact on
our health. Countless studies show how important sleep is to our
emotional, mental, and physical health.
“In our culture, we wear a lack of sleep like a badge of honor,”
says Stacy Peterson, NBC-HWC, Wellness Coach in Mayo Clinic’s
Healthy Living Center and partner of Mayo Clinic’s Executive Health
Program. “But the more we learn about it, the more we see it is so
crucial and so important.”
It can be tough to get a good night’s sleep, particularly when
you’re traveling across time zones or when your work never seems
to end. Household responsibilities and family commitments are
other areas that many people prioritize over healthy sleep. Throw
in a partner’s snoring or unexpected challenges like an illness and
quality sleep seems like even more of a myth. The good news is,
you’re not doomed to a life of staring at the ceiling night after night.
According to Peterson, most people need at least six to eight
hours of restful sleep to assist in regulating and restoring the
nervous system, muscles, and brain. Appropriate sleep has
been proven to improve immunity and metabolism, leading to
fewer cases of the sniffles and a healthier weight. Lower risk of
heart disease, diabetes, and stress are also perks that come with
healthy sleep.
“Think about the times when you haven’t slept. Maybe you’ve
pulled an all-nighter, whether that was intentionally or maybe
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