About a year ago, I was on a walk in High Park with my partner (wearing very thin sandals – this detail is important, trust me).
In the middle of a conversation, he suddenly shoved me to the side.
My whole body reacted instantly—I was furious. I launched into a rant about how macho it was to push me like that, and how there had to be a better way to communicate with me than giving me a hard shove.
And then I saw it. A giant, steaming pile of dog poop right where I’d been about to step.
He had literally saved me from disaster. But instead of thanking him, I went full prosecutor mode on the man who I know loves me deeply.
Fast forward to this past weekend: The exact same thing happened again! Another shove, another pile of fresh dog poop. But this time, my reaction was completely different. I laughed. I thanked him. We carried on with our walk.
The difference? My sleep!
The first time, I was overtired and running on fumes—my nervous system on edge. The second time, I was well-rested, calm, and sharp. I didn’t spiral into fight-or-flight.
That’s the power of good sleep.
Why Sleep Is More Than Just Rest
Most people think of sleep as “recharging your batteries.” But science shows it’s much more than that:
- Your brain resets overnight. During deep sleep, your brain clears toxins and resets neural pathways, making room for sharper memory, better decision-making, and clearer thinking.
- Your emotions regulate. Without enough sleep, the amygdala (the part of the brain that drives fight-or-flight) goes into overdrive, making you more likely to snap, overreact, or spiral.
- Your resilience grows. Quality sleep strengthens your ability to stay calm under pressure, handle setbacks, and focus on what matters most.
This is where brain training comes in. At Neolé, we use neurofeedback to help people re-train their brains to slip more easily into restorative sleep patterns. Over time, this not only helps you fall asleep faster and wake up rested—it also gives you the sharpness, calm, and energy to thrive in both your work and personal life.
Sleep as a Leadership Tool
You may not get shoved away from dog poop in your daily life, but I bet you’ve felt “pushed” in other ways:
- An overflowing inbox
- Someone cutting you off in a meeting
- More responsibilities than time
- Others taking credit for your ideas
When you’re underslept, every push feels personal. But when you’re rested, those same moments don’t derail you—you navigate them with clarity and calm.
Sleep is not just self-care. It’s a leadership tool.
A Fresh Start
As summer winds down, I’m thinking about how September always feels like a “mini New Year.” A fresh start. A chance to reset routines, refocus priorities, and step into the season ahead with calm energy, ready for anything.
That’s why I’m excited to share an update. This fall, I’m launching something new:
🌙 A 3 month brain training program to help you wake up feeling Rested, Sharp, and Unstoppable—every single day.
Because when you give your brain the rest it needs, everything else changes.
Ginny Santos MSc. CEO, Well-being Advocate, and Adjunct Professor.
