Sun Signs Everything Under The Sun!
Why Do You Feel Sleepy At Work?
This article looks at a few reasons why you might feel sleepy at work. Feel is the operative word since some of the reasons may not be physical but attributed to psychological reasons. Also, some of the sources of tiredness may be short-term, while others may have been building up over time or longer-term.
Some days you may find yourself dragging your feet (and mind!) all through the working day. Why is that? Why is it that some days go fast, you are fresh and enervated with enthusiasm for your work, and other days you find it a struggle to get through until the end of the day? That is even with three coffees gulped down in an attempt to clear the cobwebs, to fight the desire to yawn.
Feel sleepy at work
#1. Inadequate Hours Of Sleep
The average adult needs 7-9 hours’ sleep. You may think you can get by with less. However, during sleep repairs and restoration of your physical health or strength occur.
The other later sleep (linked to your psychological and mental well-being) refreshes your mental capacity and ensures all those synapses are in working order. Cut short either type of sleep by going to bed too late or rising too early and you impact one type of recharging.
#2. Diet
The food you eat and the liquids you consume have a major impact on your overall energy levels and sense of being tired or alert. Have stodgy fatty foods which are low in fiber, high in sugar and salt, and which are heavily processed and you are assuring yourself of feeling sluggish and tired a lot of the time!
Instead substitute your above diet with low processing, more natural fruit and vegetables, especially juices for natural energy lifts, reduce sugar and fat, and eat more wholemeal products. You will soon notice feeling less tired at work.
#3. Time For A Job Change!
The mind has a strange way of telling you things. If you are always yawning at work no matter how much sleep you have had, you might want a new change of scenery.
Feel sleepy at work
#4. Conflict Not Addressed
Perhaps you have an issue with your significant other or a work colleague. Sometimes when you are avoiding addressing the conflict you can feel “drained” of energy.
The indecision can be energy-sapping cause you to be grumpy and not enjoy things or cause you headaches and migraines. When you have pre-migraine you often will feel hazy and sleepy too.
#5. Working Extra Hours
Working longer hours than assigned, especially long hours over 7-8 hours can cause sleepiness. This is only natural since you have been working in a heightened state of intellectual and physical stimulation for a whole day.
Anything more can start to cut into your downtime, the time you need for re-charging to give work your all the next working day. Over a long period, this can not only lead to work tiredness and low motivation but ultimately office or work burnout.
#6. Lighting
Some workplaces do not have the right lighting. The best kind of lighting is that which simulates natural light. More and more offices and workplaces are investing in this lighting design.
Natural lighting can mimic the natural daily life cycle of human circadian patterns. This is in direct contrast to highly unhealthy but popular light fixtures of neon, fluorescent light bulbs.
On the other end of the spectrum is low light, energy-saving light bulbs. Workplaces that are dim are not good for eyesight or for general moods. People need a certain amount of light in their day.
Feel sleepy at work
#7. Commuting
Over the years global commuting has become more and more of an ordeal. Due to the growth of global cities and the cost of housing, many people live further and further from city centers.
This means long commutes before work and on the way home. This is effectively like adding more work to their workday especially when they receive and process work e-mails and phone calls in this previously sacrosanct “downtime”.
#8. Circadian Cycles
This must be noted as perhaps one of the most common forms of sleepiness during the day. Many people are fighting their natural circadian cycle which may not be the 8.30-5 pm timetable espoused by the corporate and working world for hundreds of years.
Thus going against circadian rhythms is even more pronounced in shift workers.
#9. Electronic Gadgets
That is right. Turn all screen devices off half an hour before bed. If possible keep them out of the bedroom. They are causing a global sleep deficit. In a recent Australian survey, 7 in 10 teenage children were experiencing extreme sleep disorders due to being addicted to electronic gadgets and checking them 24/7.
There are now programs to educate these teenagers and adults to go back to a simpler pre-screen way of living! This pattern of screen addiction is most likely seen among young adults in the working sector too.
So having looked at a few of the causes of sleepiness at your job, we can see there are many possible sources. Another one not mentioned is of course insomnia itself and this is often associated with stress due to overwork. Also, if young babies or children keep up with both workers, this will impact overall sleep patterns too.
Once you have found the source or sources of your tiredness you can start to make changes to get back your Mojo in your day! We all know when we have it but know when it is missing don’t we?
See Also: