Discover how sleep and productivity levels are connected, and how you can catch more zzzs.
Getting a good night’s sleep is not only vital for your health but also your productivity. Sleep deprivation lowers your energy and concentration levels, leading to a workday that may not be as productive as it could be. Consider these other ways that sleep and productivity levels are connected:
- Physical health and sickness
- Social, emotional and psychological well-being
- Decision making and judgment
- Focus and distractions
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of sleep as well as tips for getting a better night’s sleep.
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Physical health and sickness
Lack of quality REM (rapid eye movement) sleep impacts your physical health by decreasing your immune system functionality and making you more susceptible to common illnesses such as colds and cases of the flu that can interrupt productivity at work – and home. According to one study, people who averaged less than seven hours of sleep at night were nearly three times more likely to develop a cold than their well-rested peers. Sickness often prevents you from being able to work at optimal levels, which may increase stress and pressure to complete work tasks.
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Social, emotional and psychological well-being
The longer you go without adequate sleep, the more detrimental it can be to your social, emotional and psychological well-being. In extreme cases, dramatic mental health consequences like paranoia, memory loss and mania can happen, reducing your ability to work at peak productivity. Your mood may also become more irritable with poor sleep, which can affect workplace relationships and make teamwork and communication challenging.
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Decision making and judgment
A good night’s sleep increases your ability to focus and make better decisions. These sound judgment skills are essential for success at the office as they can lead to better workplace performance and new opportunities for advancement.
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Focus and distractions
If you struggle with tiredness at work and have trouble focusing, you may be more susceptible to distractions that take you away from your work. Feeling refreshed in the office will allow you to maintain a productive pace throughout the day and reduce or eliminate distractions whenever possible.
How to get a better night’s sleep
If you struggle falling or staying asleep at night, here are a few tips to help you get a better night’s sleep:
- Go to bed at the same time each night
- Create a dark, quiet and cool environment
- Go device-free an hour before bedtime (this includes the TV!)
- Develop a nighttime routine that allows you to de-stress from the workday
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sleep-disrupting foods late in the day
- Consider sleep-promoting supplements like melatonin and essential oils like lavender
- Exercise regularly
- Talk to your doctor if you think you might have a sleep disorder
The importance of sleep for office productivity can boost your career potential and overall well-being. For more tips to increase your office productivity, keep reading our blog.
If you’re not yet an EZ Office Products customer, call our local customer concierge to set up your business account at (608) 310-4300 today and learn how we can help you stay productive at work.