Experts urge workers to combat poor sleep cycles

Workers need to do more to combat bad sleep cycles, according to experts who are worried that we’re cutting corners with our health due to tiredness, despite this leading to a poorer night’s sleep. Unhealthy food choices, rows with partners and short attention spans are among the most common knock-on effects of a bad night’s sleep, according to a study.

Incredibly, those polled have 90 ‘bad sleeps’ every year on average – almost a quarter of our yearly slumber. As a direct result, 171 questionable decisions or lapses of judgement are made over the course of a typical 12-month period. Amid this, two thirds think poor sleep is having a significant effect on their lives – with 47 per cent believing it has damaged their health.

“The good news is, 2018 is the year when sleep is finally on the agenda,” said Christine Hansen, holistic sleep expert and spokeswoman for eve Sleep, which commissioned the study. “Although we understand how important sleep is for us and our health, there is still a lot we can all do to improve our night time routines.”

75% are more aware of the importance of sleep, compared to ten years ago, and 90% believe a good night’s sleep has significant health benefits, but not enough are trying to change their habits.

Other impacts include taking more risks on the road, making mistakes at work and being less presentable. The research also found the biggest causes of a bad night’s sleep are stress, being too hot and needing to go to the loo in middle of the night.

Amid this, nine in 10 think a good night’s sleep has significant health benefits, while seven in 10 consider sleep to be a priority for them over the next 12 months.

Jas Bagniewski, co founder and CEO of eve Sleep added: “We’re on a mission to help people sleep better by designing simple, beautiful and accessible products.

“At the same time, we acknowledge that improving a person’s sleep isn’t always possible by simply buying a mattress, pillow or upgrading your bedding.

“It helps, but of course there is a lot more to it – and that’s also important to us.”