Did You Know How Your Profession Affects Your Sleep?

Did you know that  66% of Americans lack work-life balance?  The situation has grown increasingly worse amid the Coronavirus pandemic. With remote work becoming the new normal, most people are working longer hours. Naturally, this leaves little time to sleep. It also impacts your work performance and creates stress. The lack of proper sleep and poor work performance has formed a vicious cycle with long-lasting repercussions on a person’s health. If you are struggling with something similar, read on as we discuss the link between sleep and work performance and how you can deal with these challenges. 

3 Indicators that Your Profession Is Impacting Your Sleep

You may not realize it, but stressful work environments automatically impact your sleep quality. Some of the top signs that both your sleep and work performance is suffering include:

1. You Feel Overworked 
2. If you keep working overtime, you get little time to focus on other aspects of your life. A never-ending pile of work can make you feel anxious and overwhelmed. Even when you wrap up work and go to bed, you will end up thinking about the things you still have to do. As you lie awake worrying, you can lose precious hours of sleep. As a result, you’ll wake up feeling tired and exhausted the next day. 
3. You Don’t Receive Support from Your Boss
4. According to a study, if you are upset or bothered by something at work, it can automatically affect your sleep quality. Things can get particularly tough if you don’t receive support from your manager.
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6. Your manager is a vital part of your support system at work. If they fail to guide you properly on new issues that crop up, you can end up feeling alone. This further impacts your mental health. 
7. You Are Required to Do Things You are Not Comfortable With 
8. Working with an unsupportive boss who does not help you out is hard. However, working with a boss who micromanages you can disturb your sleep and work performance too. When your boss forces you to do something, you may spend hours figuring out whether to follow their orders or say no. These types of situations generate an emotional response that can compromise your sleep quality.
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10. There are other situations that can influence your sleep schedule and prevent you from getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep. If you are confronted with one or more of these issues, try and figure out a solution that helps your mental health and allows you to sleep better. 

Which Professions Are Linked to Poor Sleep Cycles? 

According to a 2017 CDC report, your occupation is directly linked to the amount of sleep you get every day. If you work night or morning shifts or your workplace remains open 24/7, you will likely get fewer hours of sleep. 

Some examples of such professions include: 

1. Production Workers 
2. Manufacturing plants and factories are operational 24/7. The work itself is exhausting, and 44% of these workers get less than 7 hours of sleep at night. This profession ranks highest in terms of poor work-life balance and sleep quality.
3. Healthcare Support Workers 
4. Healthcare support workers such as nurses, occupational therapists, and home health aides rank second. 42.4% of these workers do not get proper sleep. They need to work long shifts and be available at all times, which disrupt their sleep cycle. 
5. Food Service Workers 
6. The food industry is also highly demanding. Chefs, waiters, food preparation workers, and other staff work in a highly strenuous work environment. 42.4% of these workers get insufficient sleep.
7. Law Enforcement and Other Protective Service Workers 
8. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other front-line protective service workers put in long hours. They also need to be available to respond to emergencies. 42.4% of protective service workers do not get 7 hours of sleep.
9. Transportation Workers and Movers 
10. 42.3% of water, rail, air transportation workers, and movers get insufficient sleep. They need to be on the road for long periods, which can interfere with a regular sleep schedule. 

What Can You Do To Improve Your Sleep Quality? 

If you are struggling with a poor work-life balance, it’s essential to confront the issue head-on. Your sleep and work performance are related. You need to acknowledge how it impacts your health. The first thing you can do is talk to your manager about reducing your hours and delegating work to other team members where possible. 

You can also try working in a less demanding workplace that has healthy work-life boundaries. If this doesn’t work out, make some changes at home that are conducive to better sleep quality. 

The most important thing you can do here is taking a look at the type of mattress you have. You may not realize it, but your mattress can make a big difference to your health. Each mattress type offers varying levels of firmness, support, and comfort. 

For instance, if you are a lightweight side sleeper, a soft mattress can reduce pressure in your hips and shoulders. These mattresses allow you to sink in more and promote better spine alignment. Sleeping on a soft mattress can help you feel refreshed in the morning. 

On the other hand, if you are a back or stomach sleeper, a firm mattress is more helpful. This mattress type helps distribute your weight and offers better support to your spine. It can also reduce any back pain you have because of your job. We recommend opting for an innerspring coil mattress here. This mattress type utilizes steel coils and can provide the support you need to sleep well. 

Shop for High-quality Mattresses at Mancini’s Sleepworld

If you are looking for an innerspring coil mattress, a gel memory foam mattress, or a hybrid mattress, head over to Mancini’s Sleepworld. We offer a wide selection of mattresses from top-rated brands, allowing you to choose something that suits your sleeping preferences. You can shop by size and comfort and buy a firm or soft mattress to get the quality sleep you deserve.