A Restless Night’s Work
A new study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology has found that people with highly sedentary jobs, accounting for 80% of the current US workforce, are at a significantly higher risk of insomnia. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,000 workers over a 10-year period,examined how job design impacts employees’ sleep patterns.
The research defines job design as including elements such as technology use, physical activity, and work schedules, specifically the time of day when employees work. The study found that workers operating on nontraditional schedules, particularly those working overnight hours, were 66% more likely to fall into the catch-up sleeper category, characterized by irregular sleeping patterns and a reliance on naps or extra weekend sleep.
The study also found that 90% of insomnia sleepers saw continuous symptoms up to 10 years later, and that insomnia sleepers face a 72% to 188% greater risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and frailty. Dr. Claire Smith, lead study author and assistant professor of psychology at the University of South Florida, notes that the findings highlight the need to reexamine job design to prioritize employee sleep health.
To combat poor sleep habits, Dr. Luis Buenaver, director of the behavioral sleep medicine program at Johns Hopkins University’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, recommends setting hourly alerts on phones, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and unplugging devices two hours before bedtime. He also suggests using blue-light filters on devices to minimize the impact on sleep and avoiding screens before bedtime.
While job changes may be unrealistic, Dr. Smith recommends job crafting – making small adjustments throughout the day to better align with personal needs – to address sleep issues. For sedentary workers, this could include short breaks to move around and add physical activity to the day. For those working nontraditional schedules, adjusting work hours and setting firm boundaries could help regulate sleep patterns.
Ultimately, Dr. Buenaver advises individuals struggling with sleep not to lose hope, noting that small behavioral changes can amount to significant changes over time.
