Across the country, alarm clocks wake up an often exhausted workforce each morning. Are your employees waking up well-rested or too tired to even remember what day it is? Quality sleep is no longer a luxury; it's as essential to good health as a well-balanced diet and exercise. Unsurprisingly, most workers don't get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. However, what's revealing is that most workers in a recent survey felt they would perform better at their jobs if they were more rested. Savvy employers recognize this and incorporate sleep education into their employee benefits, knowing that a well-rested workforce can significantly improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and the company's bottom line.

Sleep is Not Passive!

Sleep was once thought to be a passive state, but we now know that sleep is a very active time when numerous biological processes occur. During the deepest stage of sleep, the brain organizes and processes information, strengthening our ability to retain information and apply knowledge. These processes directly correlate to our ability to be most productive at work. Quality sleep also enhances our mental health by regulating our emotions and improving our ability to manage the stress of on-the-job challenges and conflicts.

Work-Life Balance Enhanced With Sleep

Hybrid work models are becoming more commonplace, blurring the line between work and home. With more and more people jumping in and out of work while working from home, having a sleep hygiene routine helps add needed work-life balance. Having designated time for onscreen work and time for family and friends helps maintain a healthier lifestyle. Employers can provide tips for creating designated workspaces at home to avoid the dreaded laptop open-in-bed scenario.

A Healthier Workplace

Sleep is not only linked to improved mental health, but it also contributes to better physical health. Sleep helps to balance and regulate our immune system, resisting infections such as the common cold. A lack of sleep throws off the production of immune cells and can lead to inflammation in the body. While some inflammation can help defend against illness, excessive inflammation is associated with chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A healthier workplace can reduce absenteeism, directly impacting productivity and the bottom line.

Sleep Deprivation and Safety

While a lack of sleep can lead to dips in productivity among office workers, sleep deprivation becomes an even more severe issue for occupations that require late night shifts or extended hours. Research shows that sleeping only 4-5 hours per night for a week causes cognitive impairment equal to having a blood alcohol level of 0.1%. Consider these ramifications on healthcare workers responsible for administering medications or monitoring medical equipment. Or the long-haul truck driver who, on average, drives 100,000 miles per year. Their mental acuity, which comes from being well-rested, is crucial for their safety and everyone on the road.

Sleep Apnea Prevalence

We know many employees are not getting enough sleep, but could a sleep disorder be the reason? Estimates suggest that more than 30 million people in the U.S. have obstructive sleep apnea, with a shocking 80% going undiagnosed. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder with comorbidities that include severe chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. There is a strong correlation between obesity and sleep apnea, and as obesity rates continue to climb in the US, so does the prevalence of sleep apnea. Incorporating sleep disorder education and resources for testing can help employees learn if they are at risk and provide a path for diagnosis and treatment.

How HR Teams Can Help

Sleep deprivation negatively impacts productivity, safety, and employee satisfaction, directly affecting profits. Happy, healthy workers are more likely well-rested workers, so employers and HR teams can take steps to promote healthy sleep. Your employees may not be aware of the importance of sleep hygiene, the habits and practices conducive to consistent quality sleep. Education on the adverse effects of technology blue light may help convince employees not to be on their laptops before sleep. Many employees may be unaware of the importance of creating a sleep-friendly environment at home. Sharing information on room temperature and lighting is another aspect of sleep hygiene that employees may not be aware of.

Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can provide employees with resources to manage stress and anxiety, which are two conditions that can play havoc on sleep. Providing break rooms and designated nap areas can encourage employees to recharge. Promoting healthy habits like eating a well-balanced diet and regular exercise can help keep employees healthy, reduce absenteeism, and control healthcare costs.

Employee-Centric Sleep Health Solution

Prioritizing sleep for your employees has profound benefits including improved productivity, better overall health and reduced healthcare costs. BetterNight offers a comprehensive telehealth solution for addressing workplace sleeping disorders like sleep apnea. If you’d like to incorporate sleep apnea screening into your wellness program, contact betternight.com for more information.