Fatigued workers can lead to serious problems in the workplace. Lack of sleep can significantly increase the risk of injury, thus creating a dangerous work environment. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, about 13% of workplace injuries are attributable to sleep problems.
To keep the work environment safe, it’s important to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Be sure to follow these strategies to decrease your fatigue:
- Check for consistency in your sleep duration.
- Do you sleep more on the days that you are not working? This could mean that you are not getting enough sleep on weekdays. Try to get the same amount of sleep (between seven and nine hours) each night.
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule.
- Be sure to follow a consistent sleep schedule. This trains your body to become sleepy at a certain time, which will help you receive an adequate amount of rest and reduce the risk of insomnia issues.
- Set yourself up for sleep success.
- Avoid consuming caffeine, nicotine or alcohol before bed.
- Make sure your bedroom is not too cold or too hot before going to sleep. This will help you get comfortable and relax.
- Create a bedtime routine.
- Follow the same bedtime routine every day.
- Avoid engaging in stressful activities before bed.
- Don’t try to go to sleep unless you are actually tired. Lying in bed and waiting to fall asleep can actually make it harder for you to fall asleep.
By following these tips, you can successfully decrease your fatigue. This will result in a safer work environment, while also minimizing the risk for workplace injuries.
