The significance of sleep in workplace wellness and productivity
As we gear up to celebrate World Sleep Month, it’s time to turn our attention to an often-hidden aspect of workplace wellness: sleep!
You may be surprised to learn the significance of sleep in workplace wellness and productivity.
In today’s hyper-connected world, where demands on our time and numerous distractions often keep us awake longer than we intend, achieving quality sleep is more challenging than ever. However, its significance cannot be overstated.
Sleep in Workplace Wellness and Productivity
Sleep plays a key role in our overall health, functioning and productivity. Understanding the importance of quality sleep is the first step towards improving our health and wellbeing. It isn’t just about getting enough sleep, but also good quality, restorative sleep that allows our bodies and minds to recharge and thrive, so we wake feeling refreshed and ready to be productive in our day.
Consider these alarming statistics: 1 in 3 individuals grapple with insomnia, leading to the loss of 209,000 working days in the UK alone each year due to insufficient sleep. However, inadequate sleep is not solely a UK problem; globally, the US suffers the highest economic losses with 1.3 million working days lost annually, followed by Japan (604,000), Germany (207,000), and Canada (78,000). Improved sleep emerges as the most significant contributor to living better, as highlighted by the UK Health Security Agency.
But what does the lack of sleep actually look like in a workplace setting? The repercussions are extensive and can manifest in various detrimental ways, including diminished communication skills, declining performance, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and low mood. Employees may resort to increased caffeine intake and exhibit riskier behaviour, ultimately leading to higher rates of sickness and absenteeism.
Consider support in the form of a ‘sleep webinar.’
A ‘sleep webinar’ is basically a group or individual meeting, which focuses entirely on how to get better quality sleep. Often people who struggle with sleep are not aware of the underlying causes. So, understanding more about how sleep works can be hugely beneficial in addressing these issues.
Sleep webinars can empower people by providing practical strategies and techniques to cultivate healthy sleep habits and routines, effectively manage stress to facilitate better sleep and encourage a more positive mindset around sleep and consequently overall health. This not only enhances individual health but also contributes to overall workplace productivity and morale.
As Parent and Professional’s, sleep expert Maryanne Taylor suggests, “Understanding the importance of quality sleep is the first step towards unlocking its transformative power. By prioritising sleep, individuals can experience improvements in their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.”
At P&P, we recognise the significance of prioritising sleep, and offer this support to enhance wellbeing in the workplace, especially for parents and carers who are most susceptible to sleep disturbances, and who juggle multiple responsibilities. That’s why we’re advocating for organisations to integrate sleep health into their workplace wellness programmes this year. To begin, organisations may consider offering our 1-hour webinar ‘How to sleep better in a changed world’. This session, led by Maryanne Taylor, is designed to help individuals unlock better sleep and provides actionable strategies and tips to optimise our sleep patterns.
“Trying to work while sleep deprived can significantly impact job performance. Without enough sleep, processes throughout the body work suboptimally. Neurons in the brain become overworked, impairing thinking, slowing physical reactions, and leaving people feeling emotionally drained.” Sleep Foundation
Join us in raising awareness of the impact of sleep this World Sleep Day and pave the way for improved wellbeing and productivity.