Do you skip breaks and miss out on sleep? This investing tip will show you why you shouldn’t!

Wednesday: The Independent Investor FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Hello! We’re excited to share with you another investing insight in today’s “The Independent Investor.” Every Wednesday, we publish articles about investing because we want to help you achieve true financial freedom. Today, we’ll be sharing a simple but powerful tip that will allow you to make better financial decisions. Read on to know why you shouldn’t be working too hard and why doing so can be harmful to your investment portfolio. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Do you skip breaks and miss out on sleep? This investing tip will show you why you shouldn’t! Working hard is crucial for achieving personal and professional goals. In fact, it’s considered as one of the most important traits every successful person must possess. Because of this, some people work for hours, thinking this will help maintain their productivity levels. Here’s the thing: Working too hard without taking breaks is also bad for one’s health. Why? Skipping breaks leads to higher stress levels and instances of burnout. Moreover, lack of rest affects a person’s ability to think straight. Aside from skipping breaks, missing out on sleep is bad for you. William Killgore, a Psychiatry Professor from the University of Arizona, has conducted multiple studies on the effects of sleep deprivation on an individual. Based on his studies, people who lack sleep tend to experience these negative effects: A decrease in response time and attention span Heightened feelings of fear, resentment, and paranoia Higher levels of irritation Difficulty in learning, processing, and recalling information Inability to trust other individuals Killgore’s research makes it clear that lack of sleep can affect a person's ability to think clearly and manage his or her emotions. Why Working Too Hard is Bad for Your Investments As an investor, you pour your capital into ventures that will generate profits… and as part of your due diligence, you spend a lot of time studying the ebb and flow of the markets to determine how you can invest your money wisely. The process of analyzing the markets, studying its movements, and crafting your investment plan can take several hours. During these times, you might find it tempting to skip your breaks and instead, “burn the midnight oil.” However, keep in mind that skipping your breaks and staying up late will hamper your ability to: Control your emotions. Successful investing requires mastery over your feelings. Ignore the mainstream financial media. These organizations publish news that make it seem like the next market crash is approaching, and that’s why you have to disregard them. Make wise and informed investment decisions. The stock market is constantly changing, so to maximize gains and minimize potential losses, you have to avoid making risky trades. These are reasons why even though it’s easier said than done, taking breaks and getting enough sleep should be part of your investment strategy. Developing a Proper Break and Sleep Schedule Getting enough rest will help you improve your overall performance. Taking these steps will help you integrate breaks into your busy schedule. For starters, make sure you’re getting the proper amount of sleep. While you can get by with 5 to 6 hours of rest each day, that doesn’t mean it's enough. If you want to perform at your best, you’ll need about 8 hours of bedtime per night. If you’re having trouble dozing off, reduce your caffeine intake at least 6 hours before you sleep. You should also refrain from using electronic devices an hour before bedtime. During the day, practice taking mini-breaks, because this will help you rest your eyes, readjust your posture, and stretch your legs. You may also try the Pomodoro Technique as a guide for scheduling your breaks! In this method, you’re entitled to a 5-minute rest for every 25 minutes you spend working. After completing 3 cycles of this, take a longer 15- to 30-minute break. — Many of the world’s great investors like Warren Buffet, Charlie Munger, and Seth Klarman talk about the importance of controlling your emotions. This is because if you’re unable to control your feelings, you’ll end up panic selling and missing out on great investment opportunities. So, if you want to become a successful investor, emotional control is one of the traits you should master. … and one of the easiest ways to do this? Getting enough rest and sleep! Remember: Sacrificing rest and sleep in favor of working longer hours isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a destructive habit that can lead to investment mistakes. Contrary to others’ belief, stepping away from your workspace and taking breaks aren’t a waste of time. In fact, getting enough rest and sleep puts you in a position to make better and well-informed decisions not just in investing but also in other areas of your life. Hope you’ve found this week’s insights interesting and helpful. Follow us on LinkedIn.     Stay tuned for next Wednesday’s The Independent Investor! Are you familiar with the confirmation bias? Learn more about this important life and investing lesson in next week’s article!