Despite the continuous introduction of new technological innovations, people all over the world seem to be working harder.
In the US, an employee’s total commitment to work is necessary as people fiercely compete for the best paying jobs. With so much effort given at work, there’s been a noticeable increase in the work-related stress workers are reporting.
Unfortunately, stress has a way of interfering with an individual’s ability to sleep. Ironically, a lack of sleep tends to interfere with someone’s ability to be productive at work, which usually results in more stress and less efficiency. Even with access to great technologies to help job performance, workers struggle to be better employees. The answer to this dilemma would seem to be for people to put more focus on getting a consistently better night’s sleep.
How Poor Sleep Habits Affect Productivity
As companies compete on a global level, business owners and managers are putting more emphasis on worker productivity. If people aren’t getting enough sleep, it’s going to interfere with their ability to perform at the highest levels. How do poor sleeping habits affect someone’s ability to function?
The brain is by far the most complex organ in the human body. It regulates every aspect of how the body functions. If the brain doesn’t get some downtime from sleep, it puts a strain on the brain’s ability to function efficiently. This happens because the neurons that fire electrical impulses to the rest of the body slow down. If the impulses slow down, so does body function.
As for how it affects productivity, slow brain function will interfere with a person’s motor function. If an employee works with their hands or feet, their physical response time will be slower. For employees who work on computers and more with their minds, there could also be issues. They could have memory issues and problems with concentration. Anything that cuts down on productivity is a problem for employees and employers.
Defining Good Sleep
Before someone can improve their sleeping habits, there should be a basic understanding of what makes for a good night of sleep. There are three things to consider:
- Quantity: Science has proven there are minimum sleep requirements for maximum body function and efficiency
- Quality: The quality of sleep relates to the depth of sleep someone gets regularly. Preference goes to uninterrupted deep sleep.
- Regularity: The body works best if it is regulated to function cyclically. The best way to set a good cycle in motion is to establish regular sleeping habits.
How to Improve Sleep
At this point, you should have a better idea about the importance of sleep to your work efficiency and productivity. If you need to improve your sleep, here are a few suggestions.
First, eat foods that promote great sleep. You should consider, nuts, fruits, oily fishes and whole-grain products. Additionally, avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol especially right before bedtime. Ensure you get some exercise as it can help sleep.
Finally, create a better sleeping environment in your bedroom by ensuring you have a dark, quiet room. Check your mattress to see if it is old and research the best mattress options for your lifestyle. Finally, finish your room with soft sheets and blankets.
If you invest in creating a better sleeping experience for yourself, you could soon find yourself performing at work at levels you have never seen before.
