Sleeping on the Job

Bad news. We’re not getting enough shut eye. Each year, it’s getting worse. Sleep deprivation among U.S. workers has risen significantly between 2010 and 2018. And it’s costly in two major ways: Our health, and the bottom line.

According to the Journal of Community Health, sleepy workers cost employers $41 million in health-related lost productivity and 1.23 million working days. Fatigue impairs employees’ ability to function properly, and 13% of work injuries are due to sleep deprivation.

The most sleep-deprived professions:
 Protective service and military
Health care support occupations
Transport and material moving
Production occupations 
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When are we going to start taking sleep seriously? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is urging adults to get seven or more hours of sleep each night.

The AASM has these Healthy Sleep Tips: (FYI: tips we’ve failed at.)

Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
Crack Wise-dom: We love having a sleep marathon on weekends.
 
Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
Crack Wise-dom: We tried. And then Netflix made us its bitch.
 
Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
Crack Wise-dom: Aren’t there other things to do in bed? Wink wink.
 
If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.
Crack Wise-dom: But we’re soooo comfy…
 
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
Crack Wise-dom: Wine, wine, and more wine probably isn’t AASM approved…
 
Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
Crack Wise-dom: No wonder this bed feels brand new…
 
Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
Crack Wise-dom: Cheez Whiz straight from the can isn’t healthy?

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