⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

These Astronauts Explain Why You Should Get Enough Sleep It will affect your work and relationships if you don't.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily
Shutterstock

As NASA works toward one day sending astronauts to deep space, the agency is studying how the long journeys to planets such as Mars could potentially affect our health and well-being.

To that end, the space agency recently completed a 45-day experiment, the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) mission. In it, astronauts didn't actually leave Earth, but simulated what it would be like if they did. It required a four-person crew to deal with a number of detriments to their general alertness.

Related: Not Getting Enough Sleep? Blame Your Job.

The astronauts could only sleep five hours every night for five days a week. Then they would get a two-day recovery period where they could sleep eight hours each night.

"The sleep deprivation was really difficult. It really hindered our normalcy," explained HERA crew member James Titus. "We are used to working and living our lives at a higher level. During this mission, the sleep reduction, the no-nap rule and limited caffeine -- went hand in hand to really slow us down."

Related: 20 Unforgettable Moments in Space Exploration

That's how you know they are truly dedicated -- no coffee in the name of science.

According to a statement from NASA, the crew found that in particular, lack of sleep impacted team cohesion, performance and interpersonal relationships.

So if you think that you can't take the time to sleep a full night, take it from some people who really know what it's like to deal with high stress situations. Get some rest -- your brain and your colleagues will thank you.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Business News

Tesla Paid No Federal Income Taxes Over 5 Years, While Paying Top Execs $2.5 Billion, According to a New Report

Between 2018 and 2022, more than 30 companies paid its top five executives more than they paid in federal income taxes.

Money & Finance

How Stock Market Fluctuations Really Impact Your Business (and How to Thrive Amidst Volatility)

The impact of stock market fluctuations is complex and far-reaching. It doesn't just affect individual investors; its ripple effect impacts businesses everywhere. Here's how.