Alongside a healthy diet and exercise, sleep is another area to be mindful of when considering ways in which we can support our overall health and wellbeing. Sleep supports healing; it is a chance to rest and repair our mind and body. One night here and there of poor sleep is manageable and not going to have a significantly negative impact on day-to-day life; however, long periods of poor sleep can begin to have a negative impact on our overall wellbeing, both mentally and physically.
Sleep deprived, sleep deprivation, sleeplessness, or sleep inefficiency are all terms that are used to describe those who are impacted and experiencing issues with sleep.
Information and guidance tell us that a healthy adult needs around 7–9 hours of sleep. Factors such as age, health and personal circumstances can affect how much sleep a person needs. It is important to remember that it is normal and natural that some people will naturally sleep longer than 7–9 hours—for example, babies and teenagers who are still growing (Every Mind Matters, NHS).
There are many reasons why a person may be suffering from poor sleep. The mental health charity Mind notes the following reasons why a person may struggle with sleep:
- Stresses or worries relating to issues with money, housing or work
- Problems with where you sleep—for example, if you sleep somewhere uncomfortable or unsafe, or where you're easily disturbed
- Health conditions relating to sleep, also known as sleep disorders
- Being a parent or carer
- Taking medication, including starting or coming off medication
- Using recreational drugs and alcohol
- Working at night or being a shift worker
- Current or past trauma (Mind)
The term Sleep Debt is used for those who are experiencing sleep deprivation.
What happens when we have a member of the team who is possibly dealing with sleep issues?
We may notice a person is not functioning as normal. Do we ignore that, assume they are OK, or do we have the skill set to sensitively reach out, explore what might be going on and offer appropriate levels of support? Sleep may be revealed as the reason for a change in their approach to work or their work ethic.
The Sleep Foundation notes that research has found that sleep deprivation affects systems throughout the body, leading to a wide range of negative effects, including daytime sleepiness, impaired mental function, mood changes, reduced immune function and weight gain (Sleep Foundation).
In the workplace, we should always be mindful of behaviours that seem out of character. A person could be dealing with sleep issues for several reasons, and this could well impact their ability to work as normal.
Having access to information and trusted support resources can be the starting point for having conversations within the workplace about the importance of good sleep.
Anyone dealing with poor sleep should consider talking with their GP and explore information and guidance to help deal with any issues that are impacting their ability to rest, relax and have a good night’s sleep.
Here at Cavity Dental Staff, we discuss Sleep Issues often and provide accessible resources, which are available to access here: Health & Wellbeing Resources Archive – Cavity Dental Staff
As discussed, Sleep Issues can arise for several reasons. If you are struggling in any way and know those struggles are impacting your ability to sleep, reach out and talk to someone you can trust—a friend, family member, colleague or a health professional.
References
- Sleep problems – Every Mind Matters – NHS
- Sleep and mental health – Mind
- Effects of Sleep Deprivation – Sleep Foundation