Billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has criticised CEOs and tech entrepreneurs who boast about functioning on minimal sleep, dismissing the idea that it boosts productivity. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she labelled this approach as “so dumb”, sharing that she herself gets seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
French Gates highlighted the negative effects of sleep deprivation, stating that “some of us didn’t want to be around them! Let’s be honest!” She was referring to those executives who promote what she considers a harmful and performative practice of sacrificing rest for the sake of productivity.
Medical experts echo her concerns, emphasizing that proper rest is crucial for overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults between 18 to 60 years of age sleep at least seven hours a day. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to severe health risks, including heart disease, kidney issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.
French Gates’ remarks align with a growing number of prominent voices, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates, who have begun prioritizing sleep. Musk said in a CNBC interview, “I’ve tried [to sleep] less… Even though I’m awake more hours, I get less done,” Musk told CNBC last year. “And the brain pain level is bad if I get less than six hours [of sleep].”
Research underscores that adequate sleep is essential for both physical and mental peak performance. Sleep deprivation can mimic the effects of intoxication, impairing cognitive abilities and increasing the risk of accidents, medical errors, and reduced productivity across industries, according to the CDC.
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