Don't Let Lack of Sleep Place You at Risk for Work-Related Injuries

What's the one thing that everyone needs yet most people don't get enough of? It's sleep. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that adults need at least seven hours of restful sleep at night. Most people, of course, fall short of meeting this recommendation. While lack of sleep can obviously affect your energy levels, another side effect is an increased risk of work-related injuries.

The Connection Between Lack of Sleep and Work-Related Injuries

Workers who don't get enough sleep at night typically have higher rates of injuries than their well-rested counterparts. A study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that insufficient sleep increases the risk of work-related injuries by a staggering 70%. 

When you don't get enough sleep, certain changes will occur in your body that makes you more likely to sustain injuries while working. You'll have a slower reaction time, for instance. If you work around heavy machinery, this may prevent you from taking evasive action fast enough to prevent injuries. Lack of sleep can also impair your judgment. You may poor decisions that led to an injury. How can you can improve your sleep exactly?

Follow a Schedule

Following a schedule can improve the duration, as well as the quality, of your sleep. If you go to sleep at different times throughout the week, your body won't have an opportunity to adjust. In turn, it will take you longer to fall asleep. And when you do fall asleep, you may wake up more frequently. Following a schedule prevents this from happening by allowing your body to adjust. Your body will get used to falling asleep at the same time each night, resulting in higher-quality sleep.

Eliminate Light

Another tip is to eliminate light in your bedroom. Even if you turn off the overhead light, there are probably other light sources present in your bedroom. Maybe you have a bedside lamp, or perhaps your smartphone is illuminated. Regardless, even small lights can make it harder for you to fall asleep.

Wind Down Before Bedtime

Try to wind down before going to bed at night. You can't expect to immediately fall asleep when your head hits the pillow. You need to gradually wind down by relaxing. Some people take a hot bath or shower to wind down. Other people simply lounge in bed for 30 minutes while watching TV. Regardless, winding down can improve your sleeping habits.