For decades, American business culture has operated on the idea the
sleep is for the lazy or weak and workers both at the top and bottom of
the ladder have worn exhaustion like badges of honor. However, growing
awareness of the importance of rest may be turning the tides as
researchers highlight how sleep deprivation can affect worker
productivity.
The latest article from blog Sleep Junkie, titled “Connections Between Sleep & Work Performance”,
examines recent research on the subject and looks at potential ways to
combat performance-reducing fatigue including napping and healthy rest
habits.
One of the studies highlighted in the article comes from researchers in the Netherlands,
who sought connections between depression and anxiety, sleep, and work
performance in their 2013 survey of data from the Netherlands Study of
Depression and Anxiety. Key findings include that people with anxiety or
depressive disorders were considerably more likely to have impaired
performance and miss work when they slept under 6 hours, and that
insomnia also increased chances of performance impairment.
Other supporting research includes a 2012 study from Brigham and
Women’s Hospital that demonstrated increasingly reduced work
productivity over a period of one month amongst participants that were
limited to less than six hours of sleep. Major historical accidents
attributed to a lack of rest, drowsy driving dangers, and a detailed article from the Harvard Business Review are also covered.
Sleep Junkie explains that, although rest gets a bad rap in business,
the effects of sleep deprivation can range from reduced productivity to
major liabilities, which the Better Sleep Council estimates costs
businesses $150 billion per year. As companies become savvy to the
issues, many have worked to create more rest-friendly environments. The
article lists several companies that offer nap pods or relaxation rooms
where employees can rest, including tech giants like Google and Zappos,
major news outlets like Huffington Post and New York Times, mattress
company Amerisleep, and even ice cream connoisseur Ben and Jerry’s.
The article goes on to explain why companies should consider allowing
naps, with several supporting statistics showing improved alertness
and performance as well as other benefits. For those who cannot enjoy a
midday snooze, Sleep Junkie concludes the article with an overview of
healthy sleep hygiene practices to help readers mentally prepare for
rest and enjoy sleep better through the night. Readers can also find
several other articles on subjects of rest and mattress selection on the
website.
SleepJunkie.org is a blog dedicated to all things sleep, from
mattresses, bedding, to research and more. With a focus on making
mattress research easier, the website offers independent assessments and
reviews of the latest brands and technologies. Readers also enjoy
timely updates on mattress-related news and expert help in selecting the
best mattress to fit their needs and lifestyle.
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/connections-between-sleep/and-work-performance/prweb11596842.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment