How Does Sleep Impact Business Productivity?

A new study by the Harvard Business Review shows that sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on business productivity. The study, which surveyed more than 1,600 working adults, found that those who slept fewer than six hours a night were more likely to report lower levels of productivity at work. The study also found that sleep deprivation was associated with higher levels of absenteeism as well as increased levels of stress and anxiety.

Sleep affects productivity in several ways; it is vital for both physical and mental health, and it plays an important role in learning and memory. Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on productivity, and has been linked to a number of health problems.

A new study provides evidence that businesses lose productivity when their employees do not get enough sleep. The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, found that employees who slept an average of less than six hours a night were less productive than those who slept an average of seven hours a night. The study also found that employees who slept an average of eight hours a night were the most productive.

High levels of fatigue increase the risk of accidents and injuries and cause a reduction in performance and productivity. Fatigue affects the ability to think clearly. As a result, people who are fatigued are unable to gauge their own level of impairment; therefore, they are unaware that they are not functioning as well or as safely as they would be if they were not fatigued.

As work periods become longer and sleep loss increases, performance levels drop. Staying awake for 17 hours is equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.05%; staying awake for 21 hours has the same effect on performance as having a blood alcohol content of 0.1%.

Common effects associated with fatigue are:

– Desire to sleep
– Lack of concentration
– Impaired recollection of timing and events
– Irritability
– Poor judgement
– Reduced capacity for communicating with others
– Reduced hand-eye coordination
– Reduced visual perception
– Reduced vigilance
– Reduced capacity to judge risk
– Slower reaction times

Not only do these effects decrease performance and productivity within the workplace, but they simultaneously increase the potential for accident and work-related injuries to occur. People working in a fatigued state may place themselves and/or others at risk of physical harm, most particularly:

– When operating machinery (including driving vehicles)
– When performing critical tasks that require concentration
– Where the consequence of error is serious

Daytime fatigue at work can impede your ability to perform your work duties. In fact, if you are tired enough, you may not be able to do your job properly at all. While it is grounds for termination if you sleep on the job, taking a quick nap on your lunch break can be a great way to rejuvenate yourself and get enough energy to power through the day.

There are several ways to fight off fatigue while on the job. Some common tips include:

– Take a power nap
– Get up from your desk
– Listen to upbeat music
– Eat a light lunch
– Keep your workspace bright
– Splash cold water on your face
– Turn on a fan
– Stay busy
 
If your quality of sleep is negatively impacting your productivity at work, Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders can help you get to the root of the problem. Call us today to book an appointment to meet with our sleep team, or visit one of our locations!