Employee exhaustion can be a huge problem in the workplace. A workforce that is tired all the time is more likely to make mistakes, become ill and work less productively. That’s not to mention the problems that exhausted, crabby employees can make when it comes to teamwork.
When it comes down to it, an exhausted workforce is simply not what you want at your company.
Employees can come to work tired for a number of reasons. Illness, a busy home life, anxiety, depression and even living in a noisy part of town can all contribute to how much quality sleep your employees get. Perhaps one of the most common (and easiest to get a handle on) reasons for employee exhaustion, however, is bad bedtime habits.
We know that what your employees do at home isn’t necessarily any of your business. But, if bad bedtime habits are making for an exhausted workforce in your office, perhaps it’s time to do something to alleviate the problem.
We don’t at all suggest or condone trying to mandate or control that part of your employees’ lives. We do think, though, that educating your employees on the habits that could be sabotaging their sleep schedules can be an excellent part of your wellness program. In fact, your employees will probably be thankful for the tips!
Habits that Create Exhausted Employees
Using a smartphone or any other screen with a backlight while laying in bed. The light from the screen doesn’t allow your brain to wind down the way it should.
Drinking alcohol too close to bedtime. It might make you tired at first, but it will energize you in the middle of the night, making for a restless sleep.
Going to bed too late. In most jobs, going to bed late doesn’t qualify as a reason to go into work late, which means you are just cutting your sleep time short.
Eating too close to bedtime. Food is fuel for the body. Fueling up right before you go to sleep is a sure way to throw off your sleep schedule.
Doing something different every night. If you don’t have a bedtime routine, your body doesn’t know when it’s time to wind down. Creating a routine gives your body some physical triggers to get ready to sleep.
Excitement or anxiety right before bedtime. Watching exciting TV shows or movies, fighting with a loved one, or worrying about tomorrow’s big presentation are all ways to be sure you won’t get the sleep you need. Try to quiet your mind in order to quiet your body.
As we said before, trying to enforce or mandate healthier bedtime habits really isn’t the best idea. Your wellness program is an excellent avenue to take, though, when it comes to educating about good sleep habits.
In fact, if you’re doing your program right, you probably already have an education piece built in. Whether it’s regular biometric screenings, health counseling, or simply sharing this type of information with your employees, health education is an excellent wellness activity.
In order to avoid workplace mistakes, decreased productivity, illness and bad teamwork, take time to educate your employees about the bedtime habits that could be sabotaging their sleep.
How do you avoid bad bedtime habits? Let us know in the comments below!
