Is Sleep Deprivation Affecting Your Day Job

While fatigue can affect most people at one time or another, continuous exposure to these fatigue risk factors can result in long-term sleep deprivation, which is not conducive to a productive day at work. Reducing the amount of sleep you get by as little as 1.5 hours for just one night can cause a reduction in alertness the following day by as much as 32%.

 

One of the first issues with sleep deprivation is the lack of productivity that it entails. Decreased cognitive performance means slower reaction times and a reduced ability to properly process information which increases the chances of an accident as your safety is put at risk.  

 

Once you have started off down the slippery slope of reduced productivity, you may find that your relationships at work begin to suffer. As your ability to solve problems declines, as does your employer’s confidence in your abilities. The accumulative effect of sleep deprivation is that the brain finds it harder to concentrate, learn, remember, and communicate, which will clearly impact on your ability to do the job correctly.

 

The ongoing strain on the cognitive function of the brain also makes it more difficult to control emotional outbursts. Colleagues may find themselves on the end of a sharp tongue, as you take aim at them for something that would not normally bother you. This creates stress which in turn aggravates sleep deprivation symptoms.

 

If you find that you are suffering from sleep deprivation and that it is affecting your job, you should make an appointment to discuss it with your seniors as soon as you can. Alerting them to the issue will mean they can take steps to help alleviate the issue, especially if it is caused or aggravated by work. After all, a loss in your productivity could end up costing them a lot of money, so it is in their interests to keep you feeling as well-rested as possible.  

 

Take steps to manage the issue yourself by:

• Creating a nightly routine to give your mind and body cues that it is time for sleep.
• Sticking to that routine even over the weekends.
• Investing in blackout blinds to ensure that you sleep in complete darkness.
• Ensuring that your bedroom is at the optimum temperature for sleep.
• Regularly exercising.
• Reading a book, doing a gentle yoga routine or taking up a meditation practice before you sleep.
• Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
• Keep a sleep diary and make notes of the habits you keep before you go to bed.

 

If you would like to find out more about how mattress protectors can help you to protect the mattresses in your home, get in touch with our experienced, knowledgeable staff by calling 020 8731 0020 or email us via the Contact Us page.

 

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