Actor, director and producer, Thomas Dekker, summed it up well when he said,
“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.”
Dekker could have added our minds, our stress level, our general well-being, work performance and career success to the list, but the gist is there.
As reported by the Harvard Business Review, approximately a quarter of all U.S. adult suffer from insomnia, or sleep deprivation. The list of negative health consequences includes a heightened risk of cancer, depression, stroke, obesity and heart problems.
And at work, employees who are sleep deprived:
- Have more difficulty concentrating, learning and communicating.
- Experience memory lapses and decreased problem-solving abilities.
- Tend to be moody and less tolerant of colleagues’ differing opinions, making them more prone to reactionary outbursts and other damaging behavior.
- Are less efficient.
- Are less satisfied with their jobs.
- Are more prone to unscheduled absenteeism.
And when it comes to driving – to work, on the job, or anywhere else – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that in 2017, there were 91,000 police-reported auto crashes involving drowsy drivers. This led to 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel. But not actual light!
The facts and statistics around sleep deprivation are enough to cause an added layer to the stress already prompted by insomnia. Fortunately, the American Institute of Stress offers some suggestions to avoid this dilemma:
- Set a consistent sleeping schedule. Maintain a regular time to go to bed and wake up. Develop and stick to a routine.
- Avoid daytime naps.
- Cut off your intake of caffeine and alcohol early on; ideally, within about eight hours of bedtime.
- Follow a bedtime routine. Whether yours includes a hot bath, meditation, prayer or some quiet reading before lights out, these psychological signals alert your mind and body that it’s time to sleep.
- Avoid blue light exposure close to bedtime. Limit your use of electronics including your TV, laptop or mobile device. The light emitted is disruptive to your biological clock.
There’s a lot involved in building your career – including taking good care of yourself as you job search or grow in your current position.
If you need additional guidance, or feel the time is right to find your next great professional opportunity, contact the career development specialists at PrideStaff Fresno today. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you realize all your goals for 2022 and beyond. And sleep well tonight as a result!