Missing as little as 1.5 hours of sleep reduces daytime alertness by 32%. But that’s not all there is to it. Poor sleep can have a widespread impact on your health, including but not limited to the following:
People who average less than 6 hours of sleep are 4 times more likely to develop a cold.
An extra hour or sleep each night is associated with a 33% lower chance of the build up of calcium in your arteries. This is equivalent to a 16 point drop in systolic blood pressure.
While you sleep, your immune system produces protective, infection-fighting substances like cytokines. It uses these substances to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Long-term sleep deprivation also increases your risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
Sleep deprivation prompts your body to release higher levels of insulin after you eat. Higher insulin levels promote fat storage and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
During sleep, we are relaxed and our pulse and breathing slows down. Not sleeping means that no slowing down or relaxation occurs, and we are left in an anxious state.
Is it time to take action and fight fatigue at your workplace? If you can’t afford for your employees to be taking sick days for a cold, you certainly can’t afford for them to develop type 2 diabetes, anxiety or heart disease. Get in touch today so we can tailor a program or service to meet the needs of your workplace!
