New Study Suggests Employees Need Flexible Work Schedules
Do your personal and professional commitments stand in the way of some shuteye? Don’t worry you’re not alone. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 percent of American adults get six or less hours of sleep a night. A recent study published this week in the journal Sleep Health explains that employers should “play an active role and ensure their workers are well rested.” For the study, researchers provided sleep hygiene education to employers over the course of three months. The companies enforced flexible schedule policies and 800 study participants filled out questionnaires about their sleep habits. Approximately 470 were allowed flexible work schedules. Adults need at least 7 to 8 hours each night. With more attention paid to sleep, companies can expect to see more productivity in the workplace and more likely to improve the company’s bottom line. We’ve rounded up five tips on how to get a better night’s sleep:
- Ban blue light in the bedroom. According to WebMD, short waves of blue light from a cell phone, PDA or digital clock can interfere with sleep.
- Avoid looking at your clock in the middle of the night.
- Cut back on the caffeine. A cup of Jo is fine in the morning but avoid coffee, chocolate and other drinks that contain caffeine.
- Avoid eating heavy foods late at night. Finish any snack at least an hour before bed.
- Invest in a support therapeutic water pillow if you suffer from spinal injuries. Core Products offers a Core Deluxe Water Filled Cervical Pillow, which cradles the head in a more comfortable and natural position. This also helps reduce headaches and snoring so you can rest comfortably.