Ever felt constantly tired, unfocused, and unproductive despite doing everything “right”? You might be dealing with sleep debt.

Sleep debt is the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep. Even a few nights of reduced sleep can dramatically affect your focus, decision-making, mood, and creativity. And it’s dangerously easy to overlook.

Recently, I found myself in this exact situation; sleeping late and waking up early, convincing myself I was “fine.” But productivity dropped sharply, decision fatigue kicked in early, and the quality of my work suffered noticeably.

Here’s how I got back on track:

1. Recognize the Debt: Acknowledge that feeling tired all the time isn’t normal; it’s your body’s alarm signal. Also you can track your sleep; I'm using Sleep Cycle and Rise Sleep for detailed analytics, sleep recommendations and energy monitoring.

2. Catch Up Strategically: Add just 30-60 extra minutes of sleep per night or take short, restorative naps to recover without disturbing your schedule.

3. Consistency Over Quantity: Regular sleep patterns (even if slightly shorter) trump erratic, long sleeps. Consistency boosts your energy, clarity, and productivity.

Sleep isn’t optional; it’s foundational.

Pay back your sleep debt, and watch your productivity and energy soar.

Have you experienced sleep debt? How do you cope?