The Cyclical Nature Of Work And Sleep

By Author: Larry Chetan
Total Articles: 191
Comment this article

Sleep – or lack of – can have a big impact on your performance at work. Interestingly too, your work habits can affect how well you sleep. What you do for a living, your day-to-day workload, stress levels and even the way you sit or stand, can have a direct impact on your ability to switch off and slumber soundly. This is why, if you are having trouble switching off at night, its worth looking at your daily activities. 
Sleep is vital for good health. It helps rejuvenate the body, and to keep you alert and focused. A lack of sleep can lead to poor concentration, diminished memory and contribute to a poor work performance. In order to feel alert and ready for action, you need to feel rejuvenated, healthy, and generally positive, and for that you require a wholesome diet, regular exercise and ample rest. 
Stress is common to many workers, be it from demanding deadlines, hectic workloads or simply the nature of the job, and stress is a key factor in sleep problems. Rather than accept too much work and stress unconditionally, look to ways to reduce your workload where possible, streamline tasks, ...
... or speak to a supervisor if you feel your load is simply unachievable. Consider also your work environment. If you work at a desk, you need to ensure you are sitting correctly and taking regular short breaks to stretch. If you’re doing a physically active job, it’s essential that you are moving and lifting correctly, with minimum impact on your body. 
Shift work and long hours can be draining; however, whatever hours you work you can still take a few steps to help improve your quality of sleep. Ideally eat at least a few hours before bed. If you do shift work and need to eat, and sleep, in quick succession, try and have a heavier meal during your work break, and something light just prior to bed. 
Avoid sugar, caffeine and spicy food and opt for a salad, cheese or yoghurt (the latter contain Tryptophan, an amino acid which can assist with sleep). Try and have some wind down time - a relaxing bath, a little reading. And avoid last minute television, computer or phone use. 
Aim too for a sleep environment that is conducive to sleep. Curtains to block out early morning light, a quality, supportive mattress and comfortable bedding can all be helpful. When looking at bed mattresses and mattress protectors, it’s essential to think professionally. Just as you would give your work projects the attention they deserve, it is wise to research your bed options thoroughly. 
Whether you opt for a queen mattress size, double bed mattresses or a single, it’s vital to consider the quality of the mattress and above all, the support level.