Sleep More, Save Money

Tossing and turning into the wee hours may be hurting your company’s bottom line.

Lost productivity, compromised physical and/or emotional health, impaired cognition, accident rates, and absences have all been attributed to poor sleep.

The National Commission on Sleep Disorders estimates that poor sleeping habits cost $150 billion a year in stress and reduced workplace productivity. (To find out if you’re at risk, take this quiz.)

Experts say part of the blame is that Americans are working more, and those who work longer hours report greater impatience, lower productivity, and difficulty concentrating.

The average adult should get between seven to nine hours of sleep a night, but in 2009, a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that the average person gets 6.7 hours of sleep a night, down from seven hours in 2001.

And a different survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that almost a third of American employees report that daytime sleepiness interferes with their daily activities at least a few days each month.

Thirteen percent surveyed would nap during work.

So how can you help employees get the sleep they need to get the job done? First, hand out materials educating employees about the dangers of insomnia and lack of sleep.

Also, send an e-mail or post the following tips from the American Sleep Association on how to prepare for slumber:

Avoid or limit naps during the day. Napping decreases the amount of sleep needed at night, which may lead to insomnia.

Limit caffeinated beverages past noon. The effects of caffeine take about eight hours to wear off.

Avoid stressful situations or conflicts before bed.

Avoid smoking and alcohol, and talk to your doctor about the over-the-counter medications you may be taking. They may contain ingredients that keep you awake.

Exercise regularly (and make sure it’s at least two to four hours before sleeping). Try a low-impact walking program, and avoid any rigorous activity right before bed.

Keep your bedroom cool, around 60 degrees, and void of any distractions like TV or pets.

Keep the bedroom dark with heavy curtains, or wear an eye mask.

Avoid heavy meals before bed.