Poor Sleep Affecting Job Performance
Employees are paying a high price for too little sleep when it comes to work productivity. Individuals experience an alarming decline in quality of work, poor judgment and trouble retaining information as the top work-related consequences from lack of sleep. According to the Better Sleep Council (BSC) 2007 Better Sleep Month survey, 44 percent said they were likely to be in an unpleasant or unfriendly moods, all bad news for employers, employees and customers.
You cannot accomplish more if you spend less time sleeping. In fact, sleep deprivation impacts your level of alertness, your productivity and your ability to socially interact with colleagues.
Sleep deprivation impairs your quality and accuracy of work, clear thinking or judgment and memory of important details. Companies would be more productive and offices would be happier places if employees got more of the sleep they need. If you are looking to improve your daily work performance, you could benefit by improving the quality of your sleep.
Tired employees often turn to quick-fix performance enhancers to remedy their sleep deficiency problem, including:
Drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks
Taking a nap
Going outside for fresh air
Few are willing to make the commitment to get more sleep in order to feel more awake and productive at work. It can be simple to make noticeable improvements in your performance.
Mattress Matters
Many people are losing sleep on mattresses that may no longer provide optimum comfort. For a good night's sleep it is recommended that you evaluate your mattress (especially an inner spring mattress) every five to seven years for comfort and support and replace if necessary. Many people are sleeping on mattresses that are five years old or older, with some even on mattresses eight years old or older. Traditional inner spring mattresses are not designed to withstand that many years of use. However, if you are sleeping on a latex mattress, you can sleep comfortably for 15-20 years and sometimes longer.
The quality of sleep is directly affected by the age of your mattress. In fact, the study showed new mattresses provided immediate and sustained benefits in sleep comfort and quality plus reduced back pain. For the average person, better sleep quality can be as simple as a new bed.
Five Tips to Improve Sleep and Work Productivity
A new mattress significantly impacts the quality of your sleep; further suggesting that consumers should regularly evaluate their mattresses for sufficient comfort and support. Here are five tips to improve sleep and work productivity:
1.) Pay your sleep debt. Getting even 30 minutes less sleep than your body needs can lead to accumulated sleep debt, which has both short- and long-term consequences for health, mood and performance, both on and off the job. It's important to schedule 8 hours of sleep each night (7.5 to 8.5 is optimal) and maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule, even on the weekend.
2.) Evaluate mattress performance. Though your mattress may not show physical signs of wear, it loses comfort and support over the years. It's important to evaluate your mattress every five to seven years to ensure it still provides optimal comfort and support. The age of a mattress directly impacts the quality of sleep.
3.) Bedroom business. Use your bedroom for sleep and sex only. The bedroom should be an uncluttered environment that is relaxing, comfortable and conducive to sleep and relaxation. Keep work, computers and televisions out of the bedroom!
4.) Kick the caffeine habit. Research shows that caffeine interferes with getting a restful night's sleep and waking refreshed in the morning. Avoid caffeine close to bedtime.
5.) Make the investment. You spend one-third of your life in bed. Be sure to invest in the best quality and most comfortable mattress you can afford to ensure a great night's rest for a healthier, happier and more productive you.
Who knows? You might just make more money when you get more sleep! The Sleep Tips Series from Nature's Bedroom is helpful for improving sleep and quality of life. If you have severe insomnia, you should seek medical counsel. If you have trouble with sleep or staying alert and productive at work, visit www.NaturesBedroom.com or call 800-375-6417 today for more great information on optimal sleep and best sleep surfaces.
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