Being well-rested and having a full night of sleep are two of the most important things to have in your everyday life. You’re more alert, and your reflexes are faster when you’ve had a full night of sleep, you’re also more aware of your surroundings. Improved memory, lowered blood pressure, better mood, and reduced stress is some of the other benefits of being well-rested. Sleep enables you to perform your tasks better; this is why insomnia can be detrimental to not only your well-being but also to your productivity at work.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, over 20% of adult Americans suffer from insomnia, and almost 15% of these people have severe symptoms that can be considered as chronic insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for sufferers to fall or stay asleep; aside from the these two most common symptoms, people who suffer from insomnia also tend to wake up too early and to feel tired upon waking up. Insomnia can be acute or chronic. Acute insomnia is short-term meaning that it could last from one night to a few weeks. Chronic insomnia has a more prolonged effect; when a patient can’t sleep for at least three days a week for a month or so, it’s considered chronic. Chronic insomnia can have a long-lasting effect on a person’s overall well-being.
Apart from insomnia being related to numerous other medical conditions like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, it can also cause accidents in the workplace. According to a research that used data from the American Insomnia Survey, people who suffer from insomnia are 1.9 times much more likely to get into accidents in the workplace. A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that working Americans do not get enough sleep, with roughly 1/3 of US workers sleeping less than 6 hours per night, a big difference from the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep for adults.
Lack of sleep decreases an employee’s productivity and also causes slower reflexes which can lead to workplace accidents. The effects of insomnia aren’t confined to the four walls of offices across America. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is the cause of more than 1,000 road accident fatalities every year, meaning that insomnia can get you into an accident while you’re on your way to work.
People who make a living out of driving like taxi, Uber or Lyft and truck drivers are the most vulnerable from the effects of insomnia. Because they spend a majority of their time on the road, they are not only putting themselves at risk but other motorists and pedestrian that they encounter.
What can you do to beat insomnia and lessen the probability of getting into an accident? Here are some tips:
1. Stick to a schedule. – Try to keep your wake up time and bedtime consistent, even through the weekend. Doing this will help your body clock regulate itself. Use an alarm clock during the weekends to make sure that you’re right on schedule.
2. Avoid naps. – Keep naps, especially in the afternoon, to a minimum. Naps are good for a little energy boost in the middle of the day. However, they tend to disrupt your body clock making it harder for you to sleep at night.
3. Exercise. – Exercising helps regulate your body and can help make you sleep better, however, do not workout close to your bedtime since it can keep you awake.
4. Say no to vices. – Avoid nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals in the evening. These things can disrupt your sleep or prevent you from sleeping on time.
5. Visit a doctor. – Insomnia can be a symptom of other medical issues. It’s best to visit a doctor if you’ve been suffering from insomnia for more than a few weeks.
Involved in an accident because of insomnia? Contact us at Hogan Injury for expert legal advice.
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