Catching on the job?

You could be part of the growing breed of professionals suffering from the Tired All the Time (TATT) syndrome. Life@Work tells CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, and urban professionals how simple sleep programming can save them the embarrassment of falling asleep at work

 

Hectic schedules and high stress levels are robbing professionals of their daily sleep quota.

In fact, recent research suggests that 1 in every 3 people have trouble under the covers, and this takes a toll on their daily work schedules, not to mention their health. It’s not surprising then, to see zombie-like corporates drift in and out of office.

Medical experts refer to this condition as TATT, short for Tired All The Time. Dr Vijay Vaishnav, MD, tells us why desi professionals have been hit hard. “Pressure to meet deadlines, increase in workload and the determination to stay ahead in the race, is driving professionals to work for longer hours without getting much rest,” he says.

The SHORT and LONG of sleep deprivation
While napping at work could be an immediate, not to mention, embarrassing effect of sleep deprivation, the package also comes with destructive long-term effects. Here’s why you should programme your sleep cycle the right way:
 

Dr Vijay Vaishnav

 MD (Hom.)
1. Sleep deprivation and TATT can lead to fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety and weight gain.
2. It can also affect an individual’s work performance and can make them irritable and cranky.
3. Studies reveal that not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease and depression.
4. Possible long-term effects include diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Pillow talk

Why desi netas would love Japan
We may frown on our “sleeping ministers”, but the Japanese would treat them with respect, for showing commendable commitment to his or her work. Dozing off anywhere in Japan from the parliament to business meetings, is permitted. Known as inemuri, which literally means “to be asleep while present”, is interpreted as the result of exhaustion from devotion to work and sacrificed nocturnal sleep, in the land of the rising sun. However, inemuri is governed by strict rules. These include who is allowed to do it only those high up in a company and how you do it remain upright to show you are still socially engaged in some way.

Sleep less, and you will hate your job

Researchers at University of Florida suggest that lack of sleep or insomnia not only makes you cranky, but may also greatly affect your job satisfaction. The study reveals that men and women who suffered from insomnia were more likely to say they disliked or even hated their job the next day. The effect was more pronounced in women than in men. Researchers say the results suggest employers should think twice about having employees work long hours or pull all nighters at the workplace.

Sleep programming

There are better, more innovative ways to beat sleep deprivation than to count sheep. Try our top 3 shut eye solutions for sleep robbers:

Listen to old CDS

The key to falling asleep is all about relaxing the mind and body. Much of what we do to unwind may relax the body, but, the mind is still at work. The key is to use a relaxation technique that allows your mental thought process to shut down. You know old music albums inside out and don’t have to concentrate while listening to them. They act as pleasant background music while you drift off to sleep.

Power of “The”

We’ve all been there tired and lying in bed, but unable to switch off the thoughts running through our heads. Work, family, stress... are just some of the issues that keep us awake at night. Repeating “the” could be the solution. It’s a cognitive technique that acts as a blocking strategy. The aim is to stop the mind from racing ahead. Repeating a simple word like “the” at irregular intervals, will block other thoughts from streaming into your head.

Power Nap

A power nap (sometimes known as a catnap) is a short nap, that usually lasts for 15 to 20 minutes, and is said to have a host of health benefits. In fact, the French health minister is looking to make an afternoon power nap a legal right of the worker. Sleep experts says regular power naps boost energy levels, improve health and sex life, slim the waist and enhance work performance.