The term ‘sleep hygiene’ refers to having both a bedroom environment and daily routines that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep.
Signs of poor sleep hygiene include experiencing frequent sleep disturbances, suffering daytime sleepiness and having a hard time falling asleep.
For the vast majority of employees, research shows that they need around 8-9 hours of sleep to function properly.
There are many things we can do to strengthen wellbeing, one of which is prioritising sleep hygiene. Staying connected, adhering to a schedule and maintaining proper sleep habits are just some of the ways employees can look after their mental health.
Having a good sleep cycle will positively impact your mood, energy levels, concentration, memory and ability to handle stress. Steps to improve your sleep hygiene include:
- Staying off your phone for at least an hour before bed, as the bright light impacts your ability to fall asleep
- Avoiding caffeine in the evening
- Limiting daily naps to 30 minutes
- Waking up and going to bed at the same time each day
- Developing a sleep ritual/routine
- Creating a calm bedroom space
- Avoid watching TV or gaming in bed.