People with Mostly Sedentary Jobs May Suffer from Sleep Problems
A recent study has found that modern job design is fundamentally altering how workers sleep, and not for the better. The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, reveals that sedentary work, irregular schedules, and technology dependence are linked to poor sleep patterns.
The researchers tracked nearly 1,300 full-time workers over a decade and identified three distinct sleep patterns: “good sleepers” (57%), “catch-up sleepers” (25%), and “insomnia sleepers” (18%). They found that sedentary work is linked to a 37% increase in insomnia symptoms, while nontraditional schedules increase the risk of becoming a “catch-up sleeper” by 66%.
The study also found that poor sleep patterns persist over time, with 90% of workers with insomnia symptoms still experiencing them 10 years later. The researchers suggest that job design modifications are necessary to improve sleep health, particularly for workers with sedentary jobs.
Interestingly, the study found that increased computer use during work hours was associated with better sleep patterns, possibly because it helps workers complete tasks more efficiently. However, more research is needed to confirm this theory.
The study’s findings highlight the need for organizations to consider sleep health when designing jobs, particularly regarding sedentary work and nontraditional schedules. The research suggests that workplace sleep interventions might need to be tailored to specific sleep patterns rather than using one-size-fits-all approaches.
Overall, the study suggests that the way we design work poses serious threats to healthy sleep, and that companies should be aware of the specific sleep risks of their workforce to improve detection and intervention.
