Arianna Huffington shares sleep secrets at Belmont

If you meet Arianna Huffington, don’t be weirded out if the first thing she asks you is how much sleep you’re getting. At Belmont University’s recent Spring Leadership Luncheon, that’s just what she did. The co-founder, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group graced Nashville with her wit and wisdom, especially when it comes to the importance of sleep and its effect on success. She recently released "The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time."

Arianna Huffington brings 'Sleep Revolution' to Belmont

Here are five things I learned from what she shared:

1. We are glamorizing sleep deprivation.

We’re all guilty of this. How many times have you boasted, “I got, like, no sleep last night”? We’re all so busy and important, right? On the contrary, with a proper amount of sleep and quality sleep, we’re more productive. "We need to end the illusion that sleep deprivation enhances performance,” Huffington said. “The opposite is true.”

2. "Sleep your way to the top."

Not like that. She said when she was speaking to the Belmont students earlier that morning, that the best piece of advice she could give them was, "Sleep your way to the top." Huffington’s research shows that 7-9 hours of sleep is the target amount, and to get quality rest during that time she recommends leaving your devices in another room, sleeping in something different than your workout clothes (the same would send mixed signals to the brain), and sleeping right up until you have to get out of bed. “The snooze button is a barbaric idea!” she said.

3. Jet lag is no excuse.

When it comes to travel, Huffington says to build a buffer between the arrival of your flight and your first appointment in order to settle into your hotel and nap. Even if you slept on the plane, you’ll need restorative sleep in a bed to be fully present. She also suggests no alcohol or caffeine on the plane, very little food, noise-cancelling headphones, and a fabulous eye mask.

4. Read your way to sleep.

Huffington suggests reading before bed, especially about death. “Reading about death before you go to sleep is amazing because it puts all your problems in perspective.” She also recommends several meditations, which can be found in her new book, "The Sleep Revolution," out now. You can also read it before bed. “If any one of you takes 'The Sleep Revolution' to bed and falls asleep reading it, I’ll consider it a personal victory.”

5. Live your eulogy.

When it comes to living a full life in your awake hours, Huffington shares this advice. “If you’ve been to a funeral lately, you know that our eulogy is very different from our resume,” Huffington said. Our resumes count work experience and career accolades, but out eulogies honor our character, the people's lives we’ve touched, and the things that brought us joy. Live your life with your eulogy in mind, not your resume.

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Kimberly Novosel is cofounder and artist manager at Press Management Group. With a degree in music business from Belmont University and a background in tour promotions and image development, she specializes in working with new artists on creating a stronger brand and a bigger audience. A fitness fanatic, Kimberly loves yoga, running and indoor cycling. When not in the office or the gym, you'll find her traveling. You can find her here on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or at kimberlynovosel.com.