5 reasons Elon Musk really needs to get some rest

5 reasons Elon Musk really needs to get some rest5 reasons Elon Musk really needs to get some restIn a shockingly revealing New York Times interview with Elon Musk this week, the world learned how truly intense the CEO of three companies is as he talked about his 120-hur work week and using Ambien as a frequent sleep aid, alternating between laughter and tears to reporters taking bedrngnises. The 47-year old CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink also sayshe hasnt taken a full week off work since 2001 and that was only because he had malaria.Musk seems to be aware of what he is doing to himself as he told the Times from a personal pain standpoint, the worst is yet to come. This man is the poster boy for the effects of major sleep deprivation and work martyrdom. Lets look at all the reasons Elon Musk really needs to just go to bed and take a break1. He could be having trouble with thinking and concentrationWhen we do not get the eight hours of sleepscience says we need, we become sleep-d eprived zombies at work. We need those full eight hours for our cognitive functions to work at their best.One study found that one sleepless night can have you act like you are legally drunk. Even just getting six hours of sleep makes you slower to respond, and harder for you to snger words as well, according to one two-week study.The lack of sleep could explain Musks recent controversial decisions to tweet about taking Tesla private, a public statement that has theSecurities and Exchange Commission knocking at his companys door for explanations.It is hard to think straight when you are sleep-deprived. This need does not change whether or not you become a billionaire who wants to colonize Mars and make self-driving cars.2. Going sleepless makes you moodierIn the Times, reporters noted that Musk had wrangled with short-sellers and belittled analysts for asking boring, boneheadquestions. That moody snappiness is a classic symptom of sleep deprivation. Even Musk acknowledges this. Afte r calling her question boring, he later told the analyst he berated on aquarters earnings call that his attitude was impolite and due to his 110, 120 hour weeks.3. Overworking yourself does not lead to better workMusk said his dedication to his job meant there were times when I didnt leave the factory for three or four days - days when I didnt go outside. Musk said he has been logging up to 120 hours a week recently at work.Being a workaholic like Musk is proven to lead to worse performances. Working hard is not the same as good work. Busyness is not the same as accomplishment. One five-year survey study on 5,000 employees and managers found that our job performance plateaus after 50 hours, and if we work more than 65 hours a week, it sharply falls.4. Everyone needs a week-long vacation for it to workVacations are known for helping us recharge and relax for the long haul of our careers. For us to experience their full benefits, they need to be more than a few days for it to work. As tudy in theJournal of Happiness Studiesfound that it takes eight days for us to feel the full health, mood, energy and relaxation level benefits of a break.Musk is definitely not getting those benefits. He said he did not even take a break for his own birthday, saying thathe spent the full 24 hours of his special day at work All night - no friends, nothing.Without the restorative benefits of vacation, everyday workers and even billionaire CEOs like Musk are at greater risk of burnout.5.Being a work martyr does not workPeople who identify as work martyrs believe they cannot take breaks because no one else can do their jobs. Musk recognizes that for the sake of his personal and professional life, this needs to change If you have anyone who can do a better job, please let me know, he told Times reporters. They can have the job. Is there someone who can do the job better? They can have the reins right now.The Times reported that Tesla is actively searching for aNo. 2 executive to help Musk with day-to-day responsibilities. But just getting another person to share the heavy workload is not enough to pull away from being a work martyr. You have to recognize in yourself that productivity does not lead to better performance.Being the first to come into the office and the last to leave at night until you are burnt out and crying does not make you a better leader. You can just ask all the people evaluating Elon Musk. Following the Times interview, Teslas stock fell by 8% on Friday.