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Did you know that May is Better Sleep Month? The Better Sleep Council (BSC) conducted a survey to celebrate. I would've taken a nap, but surveys can give us more information than our dreams. Anyway, according to new statistics based on the 2007 survey, "employees are paying a high price for too little sleep when it comes to work productivity." Employees "reported an alarming decline in quality of work, poor judgment and trouble retaining information as the top work-related consequences from lack of sleep." In fact, 44 percent said they were probably in an unpleasant or unfriendly mood, which we know doesn't make for good business, inside or outside the company.
    Dr. Bert Jacobson, the Better Sleep Month spokesperson says that some people "believe you can accomplish more if you spend less time sleeping, but limited sleep can affect every aspect of your life, including job performance.” Sleep deprivation, he adds, impacts level of alertness, productivity and people's ability to socially interact with colleagues. And what about all those dark circles?
    So what do people do? Well, according to the survey results we drink too much coffee, we take naps (!) and, horror of horrors, we go outside for some fresh air. Okay, what am I missing here? I thought fresh air was a good thing. And if I'm not mistaken, a few years ago taking a quick catnap at work was the in thing. What is so wrong with shaving ten minutes off your lunch hour and putting your head on the desk?
    The BSC tells us that studies estimate that sleep deprivation currently costs U.S. businesses nearly $150 billion annually in absenteeism and lost productivity. Survey respondents reported that "sleep deprivation impaired their quality and accuracy of work (31 percent), clear thinking or judgment (31 percent) and memory of important details (30 percent). This gets worrisome when you think about the jobs that the respondents hold. Do they run locomotives? Are they driving my children to school? What about food preparation?
    Unfortunately, according to the BSC findings only 13 percent of Americans are willing to make the commitment to get more sleep in order to feel more awake and productive at work. So what can, and should, companies be doing to help reverse this serious problem? You probably won't see companies limiting their employees' consumption of coffee and, believe it or not, some organizations have even set up napping rooms or places where staffers can take a little siesta. So, taking a rest might not be of thing of the past. However, it would probably be a good idea if companies would at the very least share these kinds of stats and ask people how sleep deprivation may be affecting their work lives. If companies can really offer help that can make a difference, then maybe people will think about changing their sleep habits. Who knows? They might even solve workplace dilemmas while they're sleeping.