Sleeping little isn’t a bad thing, says doctor Dieter Kunz. It becomes problematic when performance suffers during the day.
“We used to think that relaxation takes place at night, we close our eyes in the evening and then we go downstairs. And the next morning we wake up again. What nonsense!” says Dieter Kunz in the Fresh to Work podcast. As chief physician, he heads the clinic for sleep and chronomedicine at the St. Hedwig Hospital in Berlin.
Anyone who sleeps little at night but is still productive during the day does not have a serious sleep disorder
Dieter Kunz
From a medical perspective, he finds insomnia, the typical sleep disorder, rather unexciting. He’s interested in the blatant cases: men who hit their bedmates in their sleep or jump out of bed. Women who suffer from depression or burnout and can hardly sleep anymore. Anyone who sleeps little at night but is still productive during the day does not have a serious sleep disorder, says Dieter Kunz. “The bottom line is that you don’t function during the day.” In such cases, people need his help.
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In the podcast, Dieter Kunz explains why his patients usually wake up at night, what he advises them – and why he sleeps for a long time every night.
“Fresh to Work” is published every second Tuesday. Daniel Erk, Hannah Scherkamp and Elise Landschek moderate the show alternately. If you would like to send feedback or suggest guests, you can reach the team atfrischandiearbeit@zeit.de.
“We used to think that relaxation takes place at night, we close our eyes in the evening and then we go downstairs. And the next morning we wake up again. What nonsense!” says Dieter Kunz in the Fresh to Work podcast. As chief physician, he heads the clinic for sleep and chronomedicine at the St. Hedwig Hospital in Berlin.
Sure, I’d be happy to help you with that! Here’s an interview with two experts discussing the importance of sleep and its impact on productivity:
Interviewer: Good morning, Dr. Kunz and Dr. Johnson, thank you for joining us today to talk about the relationship between sleep and productivity. Let’s start by discussing the concept of ‘cleaning up our sleep hygiene’, as mentioned in the article. What are some common mistakes people make that affect their sleep quality, and how can we improve upon these habits?
Dr. Kunz: Thank you for having us! Many people believe that sleeping less is beneficial for productivity, but as we discussed in the podcast, it’s not about how much sleep you get but rather how restful it is. One common mistake is often staring at screens before bedtime, whether it’s from watching TV or using electronic devices. The blue light emitted by these devices tricks our brain into thinking it’s daytime, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Reducing screen time an hour or two before bed can go a long way in improving sleep quality.
Dr. Johnson: Another mistake is not creating a consistent sleep schedule. Our bodies have natural rhythms that regulate when we feel sleepy, and by going to bed and waking up at different times each day, we disrupt those rhythms. Establishing a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends, can help improve sleep duration and quality.
Interviewer: That’s very insightful. Let’s move on to the impact of sleep deprivation on productivity. Dr. Kunz, you mentioned that insomnia isn’t as medically concerning as some might think. Could you expand on that?
Dr. Kunz: Absolutely. Insomnia is often caused by stress or anxiety, and while it can be disruptive, it’s often a short-term issue that can be addressed with lifestyle changes or therapy. The more concerning cases are those where someone is getting enough sleep but still struggling with fatigue and lack of focus during the day. In those cases, it might be an indication of an underlying health issue or sleep disorder that requires medical attention.
Dr. Johnson: From a psychological perspective, I’d add that
