LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine)- Fit employees are not only more productive and sharper, they also make fewer mistakes and are absent less often. A good night’s sleep actually starts at the office.
“Since we spend a large part of our day in the workplace, this is also an important place to encourage a good night’s sleep,” says Edelhart Kempeneers, medical director at Attentia. He is happy to go over some tips.
1. Don’t hold meetings longer than necessary
Meetings in our calendar typically last an hour, so we tend to use that full hour. Often a new meeting is scheduled for the next hour. “By limiting the meeting time to 50 minutes, your employees have ten minutes to clear their heads,” Kempeneers suggests.
2. Avoid Stress
Some people sometimes say that they perform better under time pressure, but they also take that stress home, often resulting in a poor night’s sleep, says the medical director. “So try to complete tasks as much as possible so that everyone can relax after hours.”
3. No emails after working hours
E-mails are a handy invention for communication, but according to Kempeneers they also affect your sleep, partly because of the smartphone. “Therefore, introduce the rule that no more emails may be sent after working hours. So everyone can relax in the evening without thinking about work. After all, tomorrow is a new day.”
4. Midday Power Nap
Studies have shown that a short but brisk nap during the day really helps to recharge the batteries. “In the best case scenario, you can provide a ‘chill room’. This is a secluded space where your employees can sleep for a while. “The ideal nap lasts about twenty minutes, but even with ten minutes you will be better equipped to start the afternoon. The sleep cycle threatens to be disrupted for longer than half an hour.”
5. More exercise at work
Many employees sit quietly at their desks all day. “So encourage more exercise, for example by taking an active lunch break, such as a yoga session or other activity with colleagues,” he says. Such an active break could also be a short walk. “One of the reasons why we sometimes have trouble falling asleep is the overdose of artificial light we have to deal with in the evening. Fifteen minutes of natural light in the afternoon can be enough to neutralise the effect of artificial light. In any case, it is positive for the biorhythm.”
6. Keeping a Sleep Diary
Employees who sleep badly should also want to do something about it themselves. “A sleep diary is an option here. There are also factors that influence sleep after working hours. Going to bed an hour earlier, drinking less alcohol, watching TV for less time: all these things can lead to a better night’s sleep,” he says.
7. Intervene if necessary
When a lack of sleep really becomes a problem in the workplace, according to Kempeneers, the employer has the task to intervene. “He can refer an employee to a sleep clinic, where the real cause of the sleeping problems can be discovered. Because sleep sometimes requires specific research and medical supervision. It’s not maths.”
