Mental Breaks Improve Sleep

Sleep quality is ever crucial as it plays a huge role in how individuals perform and behave at work. Getting a good sleep is important to be in the best condition to succeed in this fast paced competitive world.

699 employees of the US Forest Service were surveyed and asked to rate level of rude behaviors experienced at work, if they had insomnia symptoms, and how they were able to detach from work and unwind to relax, as well as number of children they had, hours worked, and frequency of alcoholic drinks as these are all factors linked to sleep loss.

Negative or rude behavior at work such as being verbally abused or judged was linked to more symptoms of insomnia including waking up multiple times. Participants who were able to detach from work and relax to recover by doing things such as yoga, go for a walk, or listen to music slept better.

Acts if incivility take a toll on sleep quality by making people rethink about the negative experience; those who take mental breaks after work seem to fare far better and do not lose as much sleep by just letting it go. Repeated negative thoughts may be linked to several health problems including fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure.

Researchers suggest that employers should not send work related messages outside of business hours, and encourage programs which are aimed at decreasing workplace incivility to promote positive and respectful communications among co-workers, working to change cultures with resources focussing on benefits of workplace civility.