A recent report from Deloitte shared a concerning statistic. 43% of employees and 36% of C-suite are constantly struggling with fatigue and are feeling exhausted. Their emotional well-being is compromised.
People are fed up with the outdated 9-5, 5 days a week regime, the always “on mode” and the lacks of support from their workplace. It is affecting their health and well-being, including the essential, and most neglected pillar, Sleep.
The benefits of “restful sleep” on the performance of your organization are not to be underestimated. Restful sleep leads to increase productivity, problem solving, communication, creativity, resilience and ultimately the bottom line. It really is a people performance enhancer that can easily be addressed with no to low cost effort.!
1. The Workplace
The physical workplace can become a ‘sleep friendly’ place with lots of natural light, ventilation (fresh air), plants and nutritious food. The body follows the circadian rhythm so an abundance of light and fresh air tells the brain that it is time to be awake and active whereas a dark place with lack of fresh air tells the brain that is it time to go to sleep.
2. Manage Stress in the Moment
There is always a level of stress involved with work-life. A healthy dose of stress can even be a great driver of performance for many “healthy” people. But don’t let stress build up to the point that employees take the stress home and start creating a “worry mindset”. Manage stress in the moment at work. Have regular check-ins with the team to debunk any possible stress build up around work related changes and offer a safe environment with open communication lines so people have the opportunity to “share their concerns” before they become worries.
3. Work Stays at Work
With back-to-back meetings, continuous distractions, the demands of having to take on more and more work due to skills shortage or lack of planning, all leads to ‘not having enough time in the day’ to actually finish the work. This can lead to employees working late, taking work home and even working through the weekends. Bring awareness to how meetings are planned and block out meeting free days. Set expectations with your team that “it is ok” if they did not get to a specific task that day and they can get back to it first thing in the morning. By making sure work stays at work it will take away the “worry mindset” a lot of employees take home that really affects their sleep.
4. Sleep Education + Coaching
Offer your employees the opportunity to learn more about Sleep and the impact on sleep on their overall well-being. Sleep education can become part of your Learning & Development strategy.
Through sleep education + coaching, employees can learn to understand what “restful sleep” means for them personally, the impact on mind and body, the impact on their overall well-being, self-care practices to manage their sleep and an understanding of living with nature’s circadian rhythms.
InnerBloom Coaching specialises in coaching & learning experiences that support the wellbeing of your organisation and your greatest asset, your team!