What Is The Recommended Amount Of Sleep Your Employees Should Be Having To Prevent Employee Burnout in the workplace?
Employee burnout is a common problem in the workplace that can have serious consequences, including decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and high turnover rates. One factor that can contribute to burnout is inadequate sleep.
Sleep is an essential part of our daily routine and plays a crucial role in maintaining our physical and mental health. The recommended amount of sleep can vary depending on age, lifestyle, and individual needs. However, the National Sleep Foundation provides general guidelines for recommended sleep duration based on age.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults aged 18-64 should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, while older adults aged 65 years and older should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. These guidelines are based on the findings of numerous research studies that have examined the relationship between sleep duration and health outcomes.
One study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that both short and long sleep durations were associated with an increased risk of mortality. The study followed over 1.1 million participants for an average of 6.5 years and found that those who slept less than 5 hours or more than 9 hours per night had a higher risk of mortality compared to those who slept between 7-8 hours per night.
Another study published in the journal Sleep found that sleep duration was associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. The study followed over 30,000 participants for an average of 5.5 years and found that those who slept less than 6 hours or more than 8 hours per night had a higher risk of developing these cardiovascular risk factors compared to those who slept between 7-8 hours per night.
In addition to the health risks associated with inadequate or excessive sleep, sleep duration can also affect cognitive function and performance. A study published in the journal Sleep Medicine found that sleep deprivation can impair cognitive performance, including attention, memory, and decision-making abilities. The study also found that individuals who slept less than 7 hours per night had slower reaction times and were more likely to make errors compared to those who slept 7-9 hours per night.
Another study published in the journal Sleep found that sleep restriction can impair driving performance, increasing the risk of motor vehicle accidents. The study followed participants who were restricted to 4 hours of sleep per night for 7 nights and found that they had slower reaction times and were more likely to drift out of their lane compared to when they were allowed to sleep for 8 hours per night.
While the recommended amount of sleep can vary depending on individual needs, research suggests that most adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to promote optimal health, cognitive function, and performance. However, it's important to note that sleep quality is just as important as sleep quantity. Factors such as sleep environment, sleep disorders, and stress can all affect the quality of sleep, regardless of how much time is spent in bed.
One study published in the journal Sleep Medicine found that sleep quality was a stronger predictor of daytime function and quality of life than sleep duration. The study followed over 1,000 participants and found that those who reported better sleep quality had better daytime function and a higher quality of life compared to those who reported poor sleep quality, regardless of how much sleep they got.
