Sleep and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand

There is no question that sleep plays a significant role in our day-to-day lives. When you don’t get enough rest, it can negatively impact many facets of your life, including your job. You may work long hours, shift work, or be exposed to dangerous situations, and getting a good night’s rest is critical. No matter the job, sleep is important for your mental and physical health as well as your overall well-being.  

Sleep quality directly affects your awake hours 

How you feel when you are awake is directly connected to the sleep you get throughout the night. Research has found that about one in three adults in the United States don’t get enough rest or sleep every day, and almost 40% of adults report falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month.  

Additionally, 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic or ongoing sleep disorders. Lack of sleep can cause issues at home and in the workplace while completing tasks. Driver sleepiness is responsible for 91,000 car accidents each year. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators reports that drowsiness contributes to 21% of car accidents in Canada.  

Drowsiness can cause significant implications to your performance in the workplace. It can slow down your reaction time and motor control and impacts your ability to make good decisions. Drowsiness can also decrease your focus and situational awareness, creating an unsafe environment that could cause injury. 

The impacts of sleep deprivation: 

• Reduced ability to learn and remember new information.
• Decreased attention
• Affects your heart and cardiovascular system. There is a link between long term sleep deficiencies and heart disease.
• Sleep deficiency can lead to higher blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes.

Tips to achieve better sleep 

• Get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
• Turn off your electronics at least an hour before bed. 
• Don’t keep your cell phone in your bedroom as blue light can disrupt your sleep and you won’t be tempted to scroll until the wee hours of the morning. 
• Avoid naps during the day. If you must catch some zzz’s during the daylight hours, keep naps to a maximum of 20 minutes.
• Keep your room cool. The ideal temperature for sleep is between 65-68°F, which makes it easier to fall asleep.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each morning and night. This keeps your internal clock on track and gets your body into a routine.

Frequent sleep issues should be examined with the help of a medical professional. In some cases, there might be underlying health problems or mental health issues that are contributing to your lack of rest. 

Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep! Keep these tips in mind as you prepare to drift off to dreamland.